INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Indianapolis officials are taking extra steps to ensure safety at a popular downtown event in a year that has seen a surge in homicides.
Police Chief Rick Hite said Friday that officers are increasing patrols and enforcing a curfew for the final weekend of Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration. They also will use helicopters to patrol and have warned past downtown troublemakers to behave themselves.
The Expo celebration draws thousands of people downtown each year. In 2010, nine young people were injured when a man opened fire on crowded downtown streets during the event.
The event has been quiet since then, but an increase in city violence this year has police taking extra precautions.
A faith-based group that works to reduce violence also has added volunteers to patrol the streets.
