Beech Grove aims to prevent crime with citation and potential fines

BEECH GROVE, Ind. (WISH) — The mayor of Beech Grove is trying to prevent crime at local problem properties by using a city ordinance passed early this year.

Mayor Dennis Buckley said the Motel 6 became the first Beech Grove business to be cited for being a public nuisance. The citation was issued after a drug dealing suspect barricaded himself in a room at the motel during a standoff with police.

According to Buckley, the citation is possible because of a city ordinance passed about four months ago.

City officials said there is a history of drugs and prostitution on the property. Buckley said police were called to the motel hundreds of times last year and at least 89 times in the first four months of this year.

“Can you imagine traveling down the highway as a family and you pull into a motel that’s full of drugs and prostitution?” Buckley said.

Motel 6 management now has 20 days to “take corrective action,” Buckley said. If the crime problem persists, they’ll be given a final, ten day warning. After that, officers can begin fining management each time they’re called to the motel.

After two tickets, individual fines can run up to $2,500 dollars plus court costs, according to Buckley.

Beech Grove local Bob Shirley likes the idea. He said the same citation should be given to the Wal-Mart where a brawl was recently caught on video. City officials said they have been called to that Walmart more than 1,000 times over the past two years.

“It’s a shame that the police have to spend more of their time doing that then patrolling the streets,” Shirley said.

Buckley said he does feel that the Walmart is a public nuisance, and if officers keep getting called there a citation will be issued.

Motel 6 did not immediately respond to 24-Hour News 8’s request for comment.