INDIANAPOLIS — Community leaders met with teens near the Artsgarden downtown this week to talk about staying safe and out of trouble ahead of the 4th of July weekend.

Young Men Inc, an organization aimed at empowering Black males ages 8 to 16, held the discussion to stress decision-making and city curfew rules.

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‘Making good choices can save their life’

Malachi Walker with Young Men Inc said the goal is to help kids understand their potential.

“Ultimate goal is to help kids make good decisions and choices in life,” Walker said. “One of the things that we stress to our young people in our Young Men is that they are somebody and they can succeed. We want them to know that making good choices can save their life.”

Walker said the group’s main purpose is to guide young people toward better life choices and help them understand their own potential.

Curfew warning for teens, parents

Walker also warned youth about Indianapolis curfew rules and what happens if they’re broken.

“There is a curfew,” Walker said. “They need to know that you cannot be down here after the curfew hours, otherwise you’ll be picked up, taken to a facility and held there until a parent picks you up.”

He urged parents to stay aware of their children’s whereabouts, especially at night.

“Know where your children are,” Walker said. “Wake up — when you’re going to bed and you’re out for the night, know that your children are at home safe.”

IFD: Must be 18 to set off fireworks

An Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson also reminded residents about fireworks rules for the holiday weekend.

You must be 18 to set off fireworks and be on property you own or have permission to use, IFD said.

Indianapolis curfew law prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Two years ago on the Fourth of July, an 11-year-old visiting Indianapolis was struck in the back by a bullet fired into the air. Jataevious Ragsdale – who recovered quickly – was visiting family in Indianapolis for the holiday.

Had he been struck differently by the bullet, Ragsdale may not have had the chance to experience Fourth of July again. Falling bullets have killed other children, like 13-year-old Noah Inman in Hammond in 2017 and 4-year-old Marquel Peters in Atlanta in 2010. 

Holidays like Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve often prompt individuals to celebrate by firing their gun in the air, something the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department strongly advises against doing.

“Every bullet that goes up comes down,” Downtown District Commander Shane Foley said. “So if people think that’s not dangerous, they’re wrong.”

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Those who choose to fire their gun into the air can risk causing serious damage, Foley said, and doing so can lead to an arrest and prosecution. Criminal consequences for firing into the air include criminal recklessness, battery, vandalism and even homicide depending on the damage done.

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Indianapolis Animal Care Services announced Thursday that a dog died from heat stroke at its new facility earlier this week.

The animal had been confined to an outdoor kennel for an extended period. Officials say they are investigating to figure out what went wrong.

The incident serves as a warning to pet owners.

Extreme heat, as Indiana has seen since Monday, is dangerous not only for people but also for animals.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County has a few recommendations for keeping pets safe. Gina Smola, director of operations, said Thursday, “Keeping them indoors, that’s the No. 1 thing, in air conditioning. Don’t leave them in vehicles. And the other important thing is if you’re going outside, make it short potty breaks. If the pavement is too hot for your hands, its too hot for their feet.”

Even if dogs or cats are usually kept outdoors, the Hamilton County facility’s staff said to keep them inside during unusually high temperatures.

Emma Nobbe runs community engagement at the Hamilton County shelter in Fishers. “Going on those longer walks, you also want to make sure that you have a shaded area. A lot of people would try to walk their dogs early in the morning or late at night when it’s normally cooler naturally. But if you can’t do that, try to find a trail or a space that’s highly shaded so it’s not only cooler on your dog’s paws but also cooler for them in general.”

Nobbe and Smola recommended keeping walks to no more than 10 minutes. If you are going on a longer walk, bring water and a travel bowl for the pet. Nobbe said, “If you freeze peanut butter to a plate, that’s something they really enjoy. It’s also a tool if you want to keep them inside, but they are more active.”

At the Hamilton County facility, dogs are kept indoors until temperatures cool off. The shelter on Thursday was caring for more than 500 animals, at full capacity. The staff said the days leading up to and after the Fourth of July are their busiest time of year because they receive the highest number of stray and lost animals.

“A lot of people travel, the animals get loose because of the fireworks, so they get very scared,” Smola said.

The Hamilton County staff says Fourth of July fireworks and the heat present a double danger.