6/28/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
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City crews to begin targeted clean-ups in neighborhoods facing challenges with crime
Focused effort is part of summer crime fighting strategy
INDIANAPOLIS – Crews from the city's Department of Public Works, Animal Care and Control, the Department of Metropolitan Development and the Marion County Health Department will perform the first of several extensive clean-ups in local neighborhoods facing challenges with crime.
Attacking neighborhood blight in high-crime areas is a key component of the plan announced last week by Mayor Bart Peterson and Sheriff Frank Anderson to combat criminal activity during the summer months, when crime generally trends upward.
WHEN: TOMORROW – Thursday, June 29
8 a.m.*
WHERE: The Bates-Hendricks Neighborhood (bounded by I-70 on the north, Minnesota St. on the south, Madison Ave. on the west and I-65/Shelby Ave. on the east.)
*Crews will begin the clean-up at 8 a.m. with a brief 'roll call' meeting in the parking lot of Immanuel United Methodist Church of Christ, 1048 South East St.
Crews will cut high weeds, pick up trash and debris along streets and alleys, fill potholes, remove illegal signs and sweep the neighborhood for stray animals, among other clean-up efforts.
The owners of all lots cleaned and mowed by city crews will be cited and have the clean-up costs placed on their property tax bill if they fail to pay their initial fines. The city will then follow through with seeking higher fines through civil prosecution for negligent property owners who refuse to maintain their properties.
The entire comprehensive summer strategy to combat crime calls for an aggressive reallocation of officers to street patrol, increased curfew and warrant sweeps, saturation patrols of high-crime areas, cleaning crew sweeps in hotspots and other efforts.
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