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As the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500 is unparalleled as an international sporting event. Unfortunately, large events are known to create increased demand for trafficked individuals providing manual labor, sex for hire and other services. Attorney General Todd Rokita asks Hoosiers to know the signs, stay alert and report any suspicion to law enforcement.  “Spectator events of such grand scale are ripe for human traffickers looking for opportunities to carry out their heinous crimes,” Attorney General Rokita said. “As we excitedly participate in the greatest spectacle in racing, we need to keep our eyes and ears open for human trafficking as well. By reporting suspicions to local law enforcement, we can help authorities nab these predators and save victims.”  Following are signs that someone might be a victim of trafficking:  They appear submissive or fearful.  They are prohibited from speaking alone to strangers.  They give answers that appear to be scripted or rehearsed.  They show signs of physical abuse.  “Human traffickers can prey on anyone, regardless of their age, race or background,” Attorney General Rokita said. “It’s up to all of us to play a role in shutting down this devastating criminal enterprise.”  People in certain job roles — such as medical professionals, restaurant workers, and hotel employees — are particularly likely to come into contact with trafficking victims.  If you have suspicions that someone is being trafficked, call local law enforcement immediately. You may also report suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.  In addition to raising awareness, Attorney General Rokita and his team are engaged in other efforts to combat human trafficking.  The Office of the Attorney General operates the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps protect victims of certain crimes — including those who have been trafficked — by concealing their residential address from the public and thereby their victimizers. Learn more about the program at the Attorney General’s website.  In February, Attorney General Rokita announced all K-5 students in Indiana would receive a child ID kit in 2024 — free of charge to Indiana families. Child ID kits give parents a tool to provide detailed information, a photograph, fingerprint, and DNA to law enforcement quickly. Completed kits are kept in a safe place at home, out of a database, so parents are prepared if the unthinkable happens. Kits will be distributed by superintendents and school resource officers to students this fall.  As it happens, this year the Indianapolis 500 race weekend coincides with National Missing Children’s Day, which is May 25. The day is intended to encourage parents, guardians and communities to make child safety a priority — and as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families.

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The YMCA is hosting Kickball for a Cause, which is their annual campaign fundraiser. The event takes place June 8 at the YMCA soccer fields. Teams will be split into a youth division (ages 10-15) and an adult division (ages 16 and up). The cost for members is $10 per person and the cost for non-members is $20 per person. Teams consist of 10 players per teaam. You may make your own teams or the Y can place you on a team. Rosters and playing times will be posted on June 3. Winning teams will recieve a prize. 

Sign up online or at the front desk of the Y. The link to sign up is: https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5039/ProgramsV2/OfferingDetails.mvc?...

For more information, contact Devin Shields at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All proceeds go to the YMCA Annual Campaign Fundraiser.

The Y is located at 1709 North Shelby Street

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INDIANAPOLIS — Starting Monday, state and local law enforcement agencies will increasing patrols as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” high-visibility enforcement effort.

From May 20 through June 2, officers will be out in full force making sure drivers and passengers are buckled up and children are properly secured.

The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said ICJI Traffic Safety Director James Bryan. “Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash.”

Since the “Click It or Ticket” initiative began more than 20 years ago, seat belt use has gone up 30% in Indiana to 93.2%, higher than the national average of 91.9%.

Despite making progress and advances in vehicle safety, in 2023, 390 unbuckled vehicle occupants lost their lives on Indiana roads. Nationally, there were 11,813 unbuckled vehicle occupants killed in crashes.

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the safety benefits of seat belts. Buckling up can reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by up to 65%. Without a seat belt fastened, people can be ejected from a vehicle and killed.

Tragically, vehicle collisions continue to be a leading cause of death for children aged 1-13. NHTSA data shows that approximately 46% of all car seats are being used incorrectly.

Indiana law requires the driver and all passengers to buckle up. Children under age eight must be properly restrained in a child car seat or booster seat.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make sure children are in the right car seat and that it’s used correctly and properly installed. Resources can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat. To schedule an appointment with a certified car seat safety technician at one of Indiana’s fitting stations, visit on.in.gov/SafeKids.