Indianapolis, IN
Neighbors claim vacant homes are to blame for uptick in crime in southwest side neighborhood
INDIANAPOLIS — Vacant homes in a southwest side neighbordhood have neighbors calling on the city of Indianapolis for help.
They blame the empty homes on a rise in violent crimes.
“These two houses here where the homicide happened at 3242 and 3240, they both known to have squatters,” Hall said.
Tony Hall is talking about the home where Monday’s homicide happened. According to IMPD, on Monday around 4 p.m. officers received multiple calls referencing a person shot at 3242 Collier Street.
When officers arrived, they found an adult male inside the home with trauma injuries.
“One of the most frustrating things I see is that a lot of these houses sit empty for a long period of time – they catch fire – people break into them,” Hall told WRTV on Tuesday.
WRTV captured multiple other homes boarded up in the area.
WRTV
Neighbors say those have led to other issues in the area, like people starting fires and breaking into homes.
“I know that economically it can be really challenging to make a lot of this stuff go away but at the same time a lot of us have to deal with the fall out,” Hall added.
WRTV
The City of Indianapolis says there are more than 1,800 properties that are unsafe or abandoned in Indianapolis.
According to the City, Department of Business & Neighborhood Services has demolished roughly 375 structures since 2017, and 29 are already contracted for demolition in early 2024.
WRTV
The city says additional 2024 demolition bid packages will be evaluated throughout the year as cases become eligible and as the budget allows.
“Somethings got to be done about a lot of the houses sitting here empty,” Hall concluded.
The city says people should report unsafe conditions at vacant structures to the Mayor’s Action Center using Request Indy.
DBNS will investigate the property and determine whether a vacant board order, a repair order, or a demolition order is warranted.
If the property is occupied, they should call the Marion County Health Department/Health and Hospital Corporation: 317-221-2150.
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy
(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.
Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.
The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child
Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person
Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.
🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free
Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person
Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.
🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child
The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Community Love Fest 2026, an initiative happening over four days, will start on Wednesday at an Indianapolis church.
The STR8UP Mentoring Foundation, touted as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit to help at-risk urban youths, aims for the event to be a safe and productive start to summer for Indianapolis youth and families.
The kickoff rally will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 4958 Ribble Road. That’s off East 30th Street west of its intersections with Massachusetts Avenue and Emerson Avenue.
A community cleanup day will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at 3036 N. Sherman Drive, just north of East 30th Street.
A basketball tournament and a health and resource fair will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Washington Park, 3130 E. 30th St.
STR8UP programs include educational partnerships that support students from kindergarten through young adulthood, and intramural sports to encourage teamwork and healthy competition.
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