Worthington Police Department

07/15/2026

I appreciate the article from GreeneStreets. For anyone looking to learn a bit more about me I will attach a link to the article below.

When Jeremy Brinkman accepted a position as Worthington's deputy marshal in the fall of 2024, he knew the commute from Indianapolis-area communities would be a challenge. Shortly after, he's not only serving as the town's interim marshal but also calls Worthington home.

07/15/2026

Neighbors,
As your Town Marshal, I am incredibly proud of our tight-knit community and the safety we all enjoy here. Recently, our office has noticed a significant increase in dogs running loose throughout the town. While we love our community pets, loose dogs pose a safety risk to themselves, local traffic, and our fellow neighbors.
To keep everyone safe, I would like to gently remind all pet owners of the Indiana state laws regarding pet restraint and proper care, especially as we navigate the severe summer heat.

🐾 Keeping Your Dogs Secured
Under Indiana Code § 15-20-1-4, it is unlawful for a dog owner to allow their pet to stray beyond their property lines unless the animal is under the reasonable control of a person. Allowing a dog to roam freely "at large" is a state infraction that can result in official citations and fines. Please ensure your fences are secure, your gates are closed, and your dogs are leashed whenever they leave your property.

☀️ Summer Heat & Legal Requirements for Pet Care
With temperatures rising, keeping our pets safe from heat exhaustion is a top priority. Indiana law treats weather exposure very seriously:
* Shade and Water Requirements: Under Indiana Code § 35-46-3-0.5, animal neglect includes leaving a dog outside exposed to excessive heat without providing proper shade and adequate food or drink. A standard doghouse in direct sunlight can act like an oven; outdoor dogs must have access to a secondary overhead shade source (such as trees or a tarp) and a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
* Tougher State Penalties: Please be aware that recent updates to Indiana animal welfare laws have significantly upgraded the penalties for reckless or intentional animal neglect and cruelty, moving severe or repeat offenses into felony territory.
Our goal is not to hand out citations, but to work together as a community to keep our town safe and our animals healthy. Please take a few moments today to double-check your pet's containment and ensure they have everything they need to stay cool this summer. I would also like to strongly encourage having identification on dogs collars so that if your dog does get out we can get in contact with you, ensuring your pet gets home swiftly and safely.
If you see a stray dog or an animal in severe distress, please contact the Marshal's Office or 911 so we can assist.
Thank you for your cooperation and for looking out for one another!
Town Marshal Jeremy M Brinkman
Worthington Town Marshal's Office
Office: (812)875-2424 Ext. 6
Email: [email protected]

07/04/2026

Town Marshal Jeremy Brinkman and Deputy Marshal David Sparks had the opportunity to participate in the Linton Freedom Festival parade today, celebrating our country’s 250th birthday. 🇺🇸On behalf of the Worthington Police Department, we wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July! 🎉

06/30/2026

As the heat increases be sure to stay hydrated and seek resources below if needed.

06/27/2026

⚠️ FLASH FLOOD ALERT: DRIVE WITH CAUTION ⚠️Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding and standing water on several roads around Worthington. Please prioritize safety and use extreme caution if you must travel today. Remember these life-saving driving tips:

Turn around, don't drown! Never drive through flooded roadways.

Spot the danger: Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and 12 inches can sweep a small car away.

Slow down: High speeds on wet roads lead to hydroplaning and loss of control.

Turn on headlights: Increase your visibility to other drivers, even during daytime downpours.

Avoid night driving: Flood dangers are much harder to see after dark.Never bypass barricades: Road closures are put in place for your protection.

06/10/2026

After reading some of the comments I wanted to revise this post. I want to take accountability as some of my previous statements in the original post weren’t correct and other parts were rather confusing. Thank you everyone for your understanding. Revised as of 6/10/2026 8:17 P.M.

Keeping Our Streets Safe (E-Scooters, Golf carts and Off road Vehicles ORVs)
As summer weather brings everyone outside, our department has noticed a significant increase in Electric Foot Scooters and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs/ATVs) being operated dangerously or illegally on our town roadways.
To keep everyone safe and avoid costly citations, here is a quick refresher on what is and isn't allowed on town streets:

✅ ALLOWED ON TOWN ROADWAYS (With Restrictions):
Golf Carts: You may drive these on town streets, but only if you meet the following state and local requirements:

Under Indiana law, golf carts are only permitted on town roads if they meet specific safety and operator requirements:
* Driver’s License: Operators must hold a valid driver's license (or be at least 16 years and 180 days old with a state ID card).
* Speed Limits: You may only drive on local streets with speed limits of 30 mph or less.
* Insurance: You must carry and be able to show proof of valid liability insurance for the vehicle.
* State Highways: Driving on state highways (State Road 67, State Road 157) is strictly prohibited. You may only cross a state highway at a 90-degree angle.
* Seating: All passengers must be buckled or safely seated in designated, factory-installed seats. No riding on laps or cargo beds.
* Traffic Laws: All standard rules of the road—including stop signs, signaling, and DUI laws—apply exactly as they do for a car.

✅ ALLOWED ON TOWN ROADWAYS (With Restrictions):
Off-road vehicles (ORVs) have different legal requirements under Indiana State Code:

* State Registration: The vehicle must be registered and display a valid decal from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) or Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
* Driver’s License: The operator must possess a valid driver’s license.
* Insurance: You must carry and be able to show proof of valid liability insurance for the vehicle.
* Under 18 Rules: Any operator or passenger under the age of 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet.
* Traffic Laws: All standard rules of the road—including stop signs, signaling, and DUI laws—apply exactly as they do for a car.

Daytime Operation (Allowed by State Law)
* Sunrise to Sunset: State law does not require an ORV to have headlights or taillights if it is operated strictly during daylight hours.

Nighttime Operation (Strictly Prohibited)
* Sunset to Sunrise: An ORV cannot be operated anywhere in Indiana between sunset and sunrise unless it is equipped with at least one functional headlight and one functional taillight Indiana Code § 14-16-1-21.
* Poor Visibility: This headlight requirement also triggers during the day if heavy fog, rain, or atmospheric conditions make it hard to see people or objects 500 feet ahead Indiana Code § 9-21-7-2.

✅ ALLOWED ON TOWN ROADWAYS (With Restrictions):
Electric Foot Scooters (E-Scooters)
Under IC § 9-21-11-13.6, e-scooter riders generally have the same rights and responsibilities as bicyclists.
* Obey Traffic Laws: You must follow all traffic signals, stop signs, and one-way street directions.
* Night Riding: If riding from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, your e-scooter MUST be equipped with a front white light and a rear red light/reflector visible from 500 feet.

👪 Parents, We Need Your Help
Many of these violators are juveniles who may not know the law. Please talk to your kids about where they can safely ride and ensure they are properly equipped with helmets and lights.
Our officers will be actively monitoring our streets and steps will be taken to enforce these statutes to prevent preventable accidents. Let’s work together to keep our community safe.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Town Marshal Jeremy Brinkman
Worthington Police Department

03/20/2026

This week the Worthington Police Department hosted a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Course. Officers from across the state attended. These officers were from the Worthington Police Department, Linton Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Reserves, Elletsville Police Department, Indiana State Police, Waveland Police Department, North Salem Police Department, and the Mulberry Police Department.

During this training officers were certified in the SFST test performed when investigating cases with intoxicated drivers. This class offered a rare opportunity for students to also take advantage of a Wet lab experience. This affords students the opportunity to see the effects of alcohol on an individual in volunteers who volunteer their time to consume alcohol and perform the tests as administered by the students.

This training was made possible by the cooperation and donations from the Greene County Extension Office, Walton Funeral Service, Jose’s Bar and Grille, and a special thanks to the Linton Police Department for instructing the course and organizing the Wet lab participants.

03/11/2026