INDIANAPOLIS — Indy Metro Police and the Department of Metropolitan Development are working together to increase safety on the Downtown Canal Walk.
IMPD will add two off-duty overnight shifts from 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. that will include a combination of bike and foot patrols with special attention paid to the Canal Playspace and the Walnut Street bridge.
“As we continue our efforts to reopen the downtown economy, we want residents, businesses, and cultural institutions along the canal to safely enjoy this beautiful and vibrant shared public asset,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett.
The DMD will address lighting issues and work with the Department of Public Works to repair any street-level lights along bridges.
In addition, security cameras will be installed near Michigan Street and Indiana Avenue, along with the Walnut Street bridge.
The city is working with Bird and Lime scooters to make the canal a No-Ride Zone, slowing down the scooters to 1 or 2 mph when they enter the area.
The measures to improve security on the Canal Walk come after two fatal shootings that occurred in less than a week.
14-year-old Curtis White was fatally shot while he allegedly tried to rob someone on June 29. On July 5, Jessica Doty Whitaker was shot and killed on the Canal Walk just south of the St. Clair Street bridge.
