INDIANAPOLIS — A proposal aimed at ending "street takeovers" in Indianapolis is one step closer to taking effect.
A City-County Council committee is recommending the full council sign off on the measure that calls for stricter penalties for people involved in the events.
Councilors said Wednesday's vote was about ensuring public safety, saving lives and finding a fix to a local problem — a problem one woman said is happening right in her backyard.
"We can't leave our house," she told the council during public comment. "We can't go down the streets because we are afraid of getting hit. We are afraid there's guns involved."
She was talking about takeovers that police say can involve hundreds of people blocking intersections while cars "spin."
It's a problem IMPD said has been an plaguing the city for nearly four years.
"We believe these events have resulted in shots fired and persons shot as these events break up throughout our city. Just two weeks ago, IMPD vehicles sustained over $8,300 in damage at the hands of individuals engaged in illegal street takeover activities across the city," IMPD Deputy Chief Richard Riddle said.
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, members of the council's Public Safety and Criminal Justice committee took the first step to make sure these street takeovers end. They unanimously voted for a do-pass recommendation on a proposal that would impose stricter penalties and fines for participants and bystanders.
"We are not going to be turning the city over to folks running around as if they are at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," Councilor Paul Annee said.
Under the proposal, organizers and participants of street takeovers would face up to $250 in fines. Spectators could be fined up to $100. Cars used in the events would also be impounded for at least 30 days.
Some people, including some council members, said it may not be enough.
"I don't think the people doing this are going to care if they get a $250 fine," one woman said.
"I think the two things we already talked about is extending the time from 30 days to 90 days and increasing the fines," Councilor Leroy Robinson said.
But others who spoke at the meeting believe the proposal is too far-reaching and said the language was vague.
"The proposal makes over a dozen references to 'reckless driving exhibitions,' which are never defined in the text of the ordinances," one speaker said.
Supporters hope the proposal sends a strong message.
"We want to keep crime rates down and keep property values up, and the way you do that is giving us the ability to enforce something to prevent these type of street takeovers," IMPD chief legal counsel Anne Harrigan said.
The proposal heads to the full council for an Oct. 7 vote.