Residents bemoan lack of police force

SOUTHPORT, Ind. (WISH) - Hundreds of Southport residents have expressed their concerns after the entire police department resigned due to a dispute with the mayor. Residents who attended the Southport council meeting Monday night screamed for Southport Mayor Rob Thoman to resign.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has always patrolled the streets of Southport. Now that the city no longer has a police department, officers are stepping up patrols in the area.

But some residents say it's not enough.

"They've taken the safety out of Southport," said Billy McKinney, a Southport resident for the past 20 years. "I think we need to bring the officers back and do whatever it takes to pay their salary."

Charles Capps, a six-year resident of Southport, said, "Every thief in the neighborhood is going to know there are no cops down here, so Southport is an open area."

Residents said they used to see Southport cops drive past their houses up to five times a day. Since IMPD has a larger jurisdiction, patrolling is more difficult in areas like Southport. But officers say that doesn't mean residents should feel unsafe.

Officer Jake Snow regularly patrols the IMPD southeast district. He said that, aside from the occasional theft or runaway, the area is quiet. He said he intends to keep it that way by, "just spending a little extra time here so the citizens know that police services are here. We're not going anywhere."

IMPD said the increased patrols will remain in place until the Southport police situation is resolved.

Monday night the council said it would try to reinstate the department as soon as there is money to do so.