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Last updated on Thursday, July 9, 2015
(BEECH GROVE) - Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley says the city’s latest efforts to reduce crime are working, but he said there’s still more to be done.
He outlined plans last month to fight crime at the local Walmart and Motel 6. Now, Buckley says police are spending less time at those two properties.
Buckley recently had the Public Works Department create a sign reading "WARNING: Prostitution and Drug Area" placed at the Motel 6 and was on the verge of putting it on the easement near the property.
"They can get mad at me all they want, but I control the easement," Buckley added.
The sign will be placed if problems continue at the motel, where police responded hundreds of times last year.
Officials slammed management with the city's first ever public nuisance citation after a standoff with a guest last month. WISH TV reports, the citation is just one part of the city's fight against the two problems properties.
The other one is the Walmart in Beech Grove, where a fight broke out last month and the video went viral. Police have been called there more than 1,000 times over the past two years. Walmart has since hired off-duty officers for security. Since then, police have made two arrests at the store. Buckley says police were averaging four to six daily arrests there.
According to statistics provided by city officials, overall crime from January to May in Beech Grove was down about three percent compared to last year.
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