6/21/2007
Media Contact:
Margie Smith Simmons, [317] 327-3690 |
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City crews target “blitz” in neighborhood facing challenges with crime
Indianapolis – Today, crews from the Department of Public Works, Department of Metropolitan Development, Animal Care & Control and the Marion County Health Department will perform an extensive neighborhood cleanup, also known as a neighborhood blitz, in the Martindale Brightwood area bounded by 32nd St., Sherman Dr., 21st St. and Dearborn St.
Crews will begin the clean-up at 8 a.m. with a brief ‘roll call’ meeting at Brightwood Plaza, 2435 N. Sherman Dr. The following agencies will perform a variety of activities:
- Department of Public Works – DPW crews will repair potholes, replace damaged street signs, eliminate graffiti and remove heavy trash from streets and alleys. DPW also rebuild several alleys targeted by the community as a priority for repair. DPW will utilize community service workers to assist in various aspects of the cleanup with their main focus on removing brush and litter in the alleys. Finally, in partnership with Last Chance Towing, DPW will tow illegally parked cars in the city’s right of way.
- Marion County Health Department – In partnership with DPW contractors, MCHD environmental crews will cut high weeds and grass and remove debris from properties that have been cited and scheduled for abatement. Properties that were not cited will be identified by the city and entered into the abatement process. Property owners will be charged for all costs plus administrative fees.
- Department of Metropolitan Development – Zoning inspectors will conduct illegal sign sweeps and cite inoperable and abandoned vehicles.
- Animal Care & Control – ACC officers will perform targeted sweeps for stray and dangerous animals.
- The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department – IMPD will assist the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office in serving warrants in the area and will have a strong patrol presence throughout the neighborhood.
“Blighted neighborhoods invite crime and can fuel anxiety and apprehension among residents. These blitzes signify our commitment to making quality of life improvements in our neighborhoods by demonstrating an intensive collaboration of both city and county resources,” said Peterson.
Today’s blitz was the sixth of several blitzes targeted towards local neighborhoods facing challenges with crime. Previous blitzes took place in the UNWA, CAFÉ and near Southside areas and in the Brookside, Springdale, Windsor Park and Saint Claire Place neighborhoods.
Neighborhood blitzes will be performed approximately once a week and will continue through September 2007.
Neighborhood blitzes first began in the summer of 2006 as a part of the city’s summer crime fighting strategy. In 2006, over 20 blitzes were performed and crews collected over 8,000 pounds of brush, cleaned up 36 alleys removing over 71,000 pounds of debris, replaced 134 signs and patched over 325 potholes. In addition, crews abated over 2,574 properties for high weeds and grass, a 56% increase over 2005.
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