East side residents fed up with crime

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A neighborhood is fighting back against crime in their area and they’re teaming up with police and each other.

Some residents in the Fletcher-Lippencott neighborhood are fed up with what they call "a tsunami of home break-ins."

Saturday, residents banded together to voice their concerns with IMPD's East District. Neighbors tell 24-Hour-News 8 that they don't believe the police are doing enough to make their neighborhood safe.

A number of neighbors at the meeting say they have been victims of break-ins and burglaries. Residents also say it’s not encouraging people to move in.

A number of vacant houses are in the Fletcher-Lippencott area. 24-Hour News 8 talked with Dave Robbins who says he's owned a house there for 20 years, but is selling it and more than likely is losing money.

"I’m not going to rent it out again,” Robbins said. “It’s just not worth it. I can’t afford it. It’s been broken into six times. These are the six reports in the last year and it’s just not worth it. It seems like nothing happens."

Commander James Waters with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was at Saturday’s meeting and said they hopefully explained to neighbors what it is they can and cannot do and hopefully IMPD reinforces the need to partner with police.