Riggs: Shootings a citywide problem

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Troy Riggs, director of public safety, met with his staff and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard Monday morning.

The meeting comes after gunfire erupted in downtown Indianapolis over the weekend.

After the meeting, Riggs pointed to changes looming for downtown security starting this weekend.

Those changes include more officers patrolling the area. There will also be a zero-tolerance policy on those found in violation of any city code or other crime. Over the past couple of weekends, officers attempted to issue warnings instead of arrests. Starting on Saturday, officers will change their approach and instead of issuing warnings officers will pursue criminal charges against violators. 

“This weekend is going to be much different,” said Riggs. “I have been in contact with Chief Hite over the weekend. We can not allow shooting to happen downtown or anywhere in the city of Indianapolis.”

According to investigators, most of the crimes have started with arguments between teenagers. Officers would quickly disperse the crowds, however the groups would meet at another location downtown and some of those encounters would turn violent. Riggs added there were thousands of people downtown over the weekend, and many downtown visitors knew nothing about the shooting.

In addition to the extra officers on patrol this upcoming weekend, Riggs plans on taking his family downtown to have dinner. He adds this is not a downtown issue but a city problem.

“At the end of the day this not just a police matter,” said Riggs. “This involves local businesses. It involves parents knowing where their children are.”