Residents press Hammond police on semi-truck parking; officials advise 911 reports and nightly enforcement
Summary
Residents from multiple blocks raised concerns about semitrucks parking overnight in vacant lots and neighborhood streets. The mayor and police said enforcement teams will tag trucks and conduct night patrols; residents were told to continue reporting problems to 911 and to submit written questions so city departments can follow up.
Multiple residents raised complaints about semitrucks parking in vacant lots and neighborhood streets at Mayor's Night Out.
A resident asked who owns parcels in the 6500 block of Calumet that had become informal truck parking. Redevelopment staff (Ann Taylor) said the vacant parcels south of the cash-check business are owned by the Redevelopment Commission; the cash-check business itself is privately owned. The mayor said the city had been close to a Starbucks deal on the site that later fell through.
The mayor and Chief of Police William Short described enforcement actions already taken at a former Walmart parking lot and said police would begin tagging and touring problem locations overnight. "You'll see us starting tomorrow. They usually come about midnight...they're only there for a few hours," Chief Short said. The mayor asked residents to use 911 to report immediate problems; police reiterated patrol contact information for follow-up and said the traffic captain would address localized concerns (for example, the 1100 block of Truman).
A resident who lives on Cane Street described heavy trucks using small neighborhood streets to "beat the train," creating wear and safety concerns. City staff and police said they will continue targeted enforcement and encouraged residents to file formal complaints so departments can track issues and coordinate responses.
