As backyard barbecues begin in neighborhoods across the city, so do the spring potholes, the loud outdoor parties, and the late-night barking. Here’s who to call when you are experiencing a problem in your neighborhood:

When there is a noise disturbance in my neighborhood

Indiana Municipal Code 391 covers a variety of noise disturbances not permitted within Indianapolis neighborhoods. Honking, yelling, animal noises such as dogs barking, loud vehicles and stereos all violate the Municipal Code when used in a way that disrupts or causes harm to citizens. Between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., construction and maintenance work are considered noise disturbances. Dumping garbage, loading and unloading equipment, steam whistles, and exhaust noises are all not permitted between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Hospitals, schools, churches and professional performances in a venue are all in violation if the sound travels more than a certain number of feet. If you feel that there is a violation or one of the above listed disturbances in your neighborhood, call 311, the non-emergency police line, to report a noise disturbance. For information regarding what is and what is not a noise disturbance, visit this page to learn more.

Other reasons to contact the non-emergency police line are sidewalk and road repairs, abandoned vehicles, debris blocking roadways, garbage bin replacement, dangerous animal complaints, damaged traffic signs and signals, graffiti removals or leaking fire hydrants. Citizens can also issue requests, check the status of their requests and find additional resources here.

To report loud or speeding vehicles on your street, citizens can also submit a complaint through the IMPD’s portal here.

When I suspect illegal activity happening in my neighborhood

The “If you see something, say something” tip line is a phone number that allows citizens to reach out and report suspicious activity within their neighborhoods or local communities.

To report suspicious activity, call the tip line at 1-877-226-1026.

According to the Indiana government website, it is important to keep in mind the following when calling to report suspicious activity:

• Activity (Describe exactly what they are doing)
• Location (Provide exact location)
• Size (The number of people, ages, gender, and physical descriptions of each individual involved)
• Time (Provide date, time, and duration of activity)
• Equipment (Describe vehicle, color, make, license plate, guns, camera, etc.)

Additionally, you can search through the IMPD’s portal here to find out more information about Crimestoppers and learn about starting a crime watch program in your neighborhood.

When I smell gas

According to Citizens Energy, if you smell gas in your home or in your neighborhood, the first step you should take before calling anyone is to immediately leave the area. Do not call anyone while still in the area of the gas leak, according to Citizens Energy. If you notice the gas leak while you are on the phone with someone else, leave the area but do not hang up. In addition, Citizens Energy recommends the following precautions:

• Do not use any electrical appliances or turn on any lights.
• Do not light any matches or open/close any doors or windows.
• Do not start any vehicle parked in an attached garage of the site of the smell, or utilize any automatic garage openers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A loaded gun was discovered in a student’s backpack at Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center on Monday, according to the Wayne Township school district.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the gun was found.

Jeannine Templeman, a Wayne Township spokesperson, told News 8 in a statement that the school’s police department has been working closely with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to determine if any charges will be filed.

“We will be cooperating fully through the legal process (with them) moving forward,” Templeman said.

Templeman shared with News 8 a message sent to parents and district staff:

This message is to inform you of an incident that occurred at our school today. We want to make sure you have accurate information and dispel any rumors.

This afternoon, school administration investigated a situation that led to the recovery of a loaded handgun in a student’s backpack. A school resource officer secured the weapon without incident. 

A student in possession of any type of weapon on school property is a violation of our Student Code of Conduct and Indiana law, and will be disciplined accordingly. 

We all play a vital role in maintaining a safe school environment. Please take this opportunity to encourage your child to share any unsafe situation or behavior with a teacher or trusted adult: “If you see something, say something.” In addition, our Online Tip Reporting System is available 24/7 to report concerns anonymously. 

M.S.D. of Wayne Township

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The name and age of the student hasn’t been released.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Parents of medically complex children on Monday said their meeting with top officials of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration came better late than never.

Families who use the attendant care program have protested for months over the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) plan to remove parents from the list of caregivers eligible for reimbursement under the program, a move prompted by the discovery of a nearly $1 billion Medicaid funding shortfall.

The change will take effect July 1. At that point, parents of children with severe disabilities will have to move to the structured family caregiving program if they want to continue serving as their children’s primary caregivers and get reimbursed for it. The structured family caregiving program reimburses at a far lower rate than the attendant care program.

Jennifer Dewitt led a group of roughly half a dozen mothers of medically complex children in a Monday meeting with Gov. Eric Holcomb and FSSA Secretary Dr. Dan Rusyniak. During the hourlong meeting, the mothers gave Holcomb and Rusyniak the results of a survey of more than 200 affected families along with testimony about the impact the changes to the program will have. They also gave officials a list of requests including providing families with the criteria that would determine eligibility for the structured family caregiving program, delaying the implementation of program changes for 90 days and allowing applications for reimbursements of related services such as home modifications to proceed.

Dewitt said afterward she believed her group gave Holcomb and Rusyniak a great deal of information to work with. She said at this point, it’s up to them to take the data back to FSSA and figure out the next steps.

“We really appreciate the fact that they finally took time to meet with us, although we wish that we would have had this opportunity sooner,” she said.

Dewitt said Holcomb told them his administration will give them a response to their requests by the end of the week. FSSA officials told News 8 they are reviewing the mothers’ requests and will get back to them.

Statement

“I listened carefully and appreciated the moms bringing their concerns forward. They obviously only want the best for their children. Dr. Rusyniak was with me during the meeting, and we’ll consider the issues they raised as well as changes we can make to better communicate with impacted families.”

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, a Republican