Information Sharing Key to Neighborhoods
Community leaders are relying more and more on social media to get the word out to residents about things happening in their community. Twitter and Facebook in particular are great ways to share information almost as it happens.
This is especially true for crime reports. Recently, neighbors in Little Flower and Irvington have been sharing information about daytime burglaries along 12th and 13th streets, suspicious persons and vehicles, and more. Those of us who use social media are grateful that alert and caring people are reporting incidents to the police, as well as to neighborhood social media groups.
However, there are many people in our community that do not have easy access to computers or smart phones. If you know neighbors who don’t have access to these resources, please call them or find other ways to share the information with them in person.
While high-tech is great, low-tech chats over the back fence are a vital part of keeping our communities vibrant and safe.
Fish Bowl License Revoked
INDIANAPOLIS — On March 14, Indianapolis Care and Control officers confiscated nearly 400 animals after an inspection revealed numerous serious violations in care and treatment of the animals at the Fish Bowl Pet Supplies location on East Michigan St. The shop has been there for over 40 years. Five hundred and eighty-one violations were noted, and the owner, Bill Houston, was fined $1.4 million.
On April 8, an administrative law judge revoked the pet shop license for the Fish Bowl. The fate of the animals removed from the shop, which are being cared for at the city shelter, will be decided at a later date.
New CFO at Franciscan St. Francis Health
INDIANAPOLIS – Keith A. Lauter has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, Central Indiana Region for Franciscan St. Francis Health, a division of Franciscan Alliance.
In that role he will oversee all financial matters, business development and outreach activities with physicians, health care providers and insurance companies at Franciscan St. Francis’ hospitals in Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel. He succeeds Jay Brehm, who was appointed senior vice president of Strategic Planning and Business Development for Franciscan Alliance earlier this year.
IDI Reinstitutes Bike & Walking Patrol
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI) recently reinstituted its Bike & Walking Patrol. Each week, two dedicated IDI Bike & Walking Patrol officers are on the streets Downtown, four days a week for four hours. The days and officers change weekly, according to Downtown needs. Staffed by off-duty sanctioned law enforcement officers, the patrols provide a customer-friendly and visible police presence. The officers deter crime and act as Downtown ambassadors by providing assistance to visitors.
The IDI Bike and Walking Patrols began in May 1995 to augment IMPD’s presence on Downtown streets and sidewalks. The officers work out of Union Station. The Patrol focuses on crime fighting, quality of life issues including panhandling enforcement and backing up IMPD Downtown District runs. Additionally, the officers meet with Downtown businesses, introduce themselves and learn of any safety issues or concerns.