[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6158012,"mediaKeyId","5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf","parentId",5462247,"title","Residents tell council of sanitation, safety and code-enforcement problems on Bergen Street; requests for sidewalks on Jackson Road","audioSeconds",973,"startMs",1855000,"endMs",2828000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf&start=1855&end=2828","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf/thumbnail_1855000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158012/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Residents-tell-council-of-sanitation-safety-and-code-enforcement-problems-on-Bergen-Street-requests-for-sidewalks-on-Jackson-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158012-d6d4af42a2b6786f5f321497bb68caad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180053&Signature=af4Uydop~gX0qwoGItIGfz5pl15pfpHgfGH4HnQtQ08UimvZMHd7cAIKFYXaNc0Nq28yLccSutJ3UrFeZsxjkpOj8nDwYdVZvEMiVl1Eu0ym0JdPTUw7oTVQzPNg9D4X2hp4g7usws2Xgqk2aAQbeu0Ww8BsaSSaKrC11CNgZzu239mwBmrPA8FIhdoVzrAF9TmwBIcQOYjdIxR5cQRppX1Ts6~lc5g0DDH0UtxdEaDmYrPGoGrnMFDKaDK8xWVRlmtrzGVUSpqhxe8bZwMymbfRzbpeUfwjUh31PhgsVdyxPj5rRiORKtTybK1GMoAp5FEX3AoPnrZU21hS8Vf0fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Bend City, IN","date","2025-05-29T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple residents at the May 28 meeting told the Common Council they face ongoing public-safety and code-enforcement problems in the Far Northwest and on Bergen Street and asked for more active city response.

Logan Foster, a resident of 1138 College Street, opened the public comments with a broad criticism of council conduct and cited a municipal code provision and the state “open door law,” saying the council had not acted to bring its code into conformity. Foster alleged misconduct by named council members; those allegations were presented as his claims and not verified in the meeting record. “If you do not craft and pass legislation… then I must simply ask, what precisely is this body's function?” Foster said.

Residents then focused on specific neighborhood problems. Theresa Phillips, who lives at 2020 North Mead Street, described two nearby properties — she identified 2039 Mead Street and 2506 Bergen Street — as recurring nuisances and said neighbors had repeatedly called code enforcement. Phillips asked what the protocol is for follow-ups after a complaint is filed and said she had seen no response from an inspector on the 2039 Mead matter.

Several Bergen Street residents described sanitation and safety concerns at 2506 Bergen Street. Lily Chandler, 2513 Bergen Street, told the council residents at that address have “no running water or electric” and that occupants were using a chamber pot and “dumping it in that pile and burning it.” Clara Cotton, 2407 Bergen Street, said the property was being used as short-term rentals without permits and described a menacing encounter where a man who identified himself as the owner told neighbors he had nine residents on the property. Emma James, 2525 Bergen Street, reported repeated police responses after incidents that included a dog chasing a neighbor and someone throwing a chair through a front window.

Speakers said neighbors had called police and code enforcement multiple times. Phillips said a property had been in violation since March 22, 2025. James said police had responded “more than 5 times.” Clara Cotton said she had written to the mayor and requested further action.

Sarah Foster of 1138 College Street spoke about broader safety concerns in her neighborhood, including recent shootings and dangerous traffic; she praised police response times but said the frequency of violence makes residents fear for children’s safety. Chris (last name not given), 609 Walden Court East, raised a separate infrastructure request: a lack of sidewalks on Jackson Road between Fellows and Miami Street. He said the city engineer’s office recommended a sidewalk after a school-zone safety evaluation and asked the council to partner with his council member to seek action; he provided photographic evidence of children walking near traffic.

Council members responded that city staff and departments are working with residents. Council President Kenneth Lee and other councilors said they were coordinating with department heads and with the Community Police Review Board’s staff contact (Charles Keene) to address training and procedure issues. Council members reported that code enforcement had cited multiple violations on Bergen Street following citizen reports and that staff would continue follow-up; they did not adopt an immediate policy change or pass a motion at the meeting.

The meeting record shows no formal council action (motions or votes) specifically directing a new enforcement program or funding for Bergen Street or the Jackson Road sidewalk. Council members said they will keep working with residents and department heads; residents requested clearer protocols and timelier responses to complaints.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05-28-2028 South Bend City Common Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents told the South Bend Common Council on May 28 that code-enforcement, sanitation and safety problems at 2506 Bergen Street and nearby blocks have persisted despite repeated complaints; another resident requested sidewalks on Jackson Road.","taxTitle","South Bend City, St. Joseph County, Indiana","taxId",3921,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158018,"Council sends two zoning amendments to Plan Commission and Zoning & Annexation Committee",153,1336000,1489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf&start=1336&end=1489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6158018/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Council-sends-two-zoning-amendments-to-Plan-Commission-and-Zoning-Annexation-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158018-e74d1170b7fdb79edc6b202bb53cfbe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180053&Signature=Q5iXsErHVh9drv3r8rD2GMtxhYrNEKw3VYfVbyQ-JS5SRzioWrQfK6dhakNFpRgQpf0qTmkDEWqXYYoPymBDxRCcsbyLnL0Ef5gQYduZ5sL9ppFwTNLKgFWhRCsMytwLyp~zu4NsPoE9egj0mHrc3~G87GawipBXPsafrejPHzbUqQDBPvLACjVfZaVVb6v3mxwfo-DlAx0wLjc2b4Zwln7EH16rZjMqk~6xyI8Ji4ySGOs5dIu~Xg1RgSDvE9JOmX~go5i2i3zomXdLdSCuMU~kN6Kj9VCIFyWz9~3UANHhXgRJU0ZklXUlw4oS8czY4AihD~PWyc7CoiK-OnhpgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council voted Wednesday to send two zoning amendments to the South Bend Area Plan Commission and to the council’s Zoning & Annexation Committee for public hearings.

Clerk Tirado gave first readings for ordinances to amend the city zoning ordinance for properties at 314 West Chippewa Avenue (Councilmanic District 5) and 1037 West Colfax Avenue (Councilmanic District 2). The council moved to refer both bills to the plan commission for public hearing on June 16 and to the Zoning & Annexation Committee for public hearing and third reading on June 23.

Council members voted in favor of the referrals; the clerk recorded the final tally for each motion as nine ayes. The council did not take final votes on the zoning changes at the May 28 meeting; the actions are referrals to the appropriate review bodies for public hearings and subsequent committee consideration.

The referrals establish the procedural schedule: public hearings at the plan commission on June 16 and Zoning & Annexation Committee hearings and third readings on June 23. Any substantive changes, staff reports, or public testimony will be taken up during those hearings; no zoning approvals were enacted at the May 28 meeting.","On May 28 the council voted to forward two first-reading zoning ordinances (314 West Chippewa Avenue and 1037 West Colfax Avenue) to the South Bend Area Plan Commission for public hearing on June 16 and to the Zoning & Annexation Committee for public hearing and third reading on June 23.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158023,"Council appoints Dr. Dave Bryant to Community Police Review Board",124,1199000,1323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf&start=1199&end=1323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf/thumbnail_1199000.jpg","/articles/6158023/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Council-appoints-Dr-Dave-Bryant-to-Community-Police-Review-Board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158023-4a544a6e3f262bec6329e1135cd47c96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180053&Signature=QWRsh1cxTh7LEShU7h~YhJw53w44pEDcdzQY35jhJSyAEp0WWKSxYFJtaEyVArVCjW9FXa8tFgnD5QTThbsyKKg2OY3NttvcH6-WK57CNKsF8HzU-dqD-DwUxPK8~A42WKuvJ7LECA0T5N5Vp~7yDygV00qqvHauxQ65c8LRfwg8hcdoM3sqL~kZJmf4LypyRUzC5W8sRWMuXrBeRUVzf~dsPnlEtsCFWSKnK99mamVTipPcA7sJWmM6DzVYnl4AeGhvnZJGkBD40ag0JRDQSdXWwb4RFJQ4pHN5tzNL~HmR2r8dgmmnr746DRBni9DkVJ5zPczyn0nL-4kN7b7l~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Bend Common Council voted Wednesday to appoint Dr. Dave Bryant to a one-year term on the Community Police Review Board.

Council President Kenneth Lee said the council’s committee met and recommended the appointment with a favorable endorsement. Kenneth Lee, presenting the nomination during the meeting, said the council previously selected most board members and that Dr. Bryant’s appointment would complete the panel.

No members of the public spoke for or against Resolution 25-31 during the public hearing portion. After a motion and second, the council voted; the clerk recorded nine ayes and the resolution passed.

The appointment was sent to the record as Resolution 25-31; the board will proceed with Dr. Bryant’s membership now that the council has officially approved the nomination. The council did not set a separate schedule or conditions in the resolution during the meeting.","The Common Council approved Resolution 25-31 on May 28 appointing Dr. Dave Bryant to a one-year term on the Community Police Review Board, following a favorable committee recommendation and no public opposition at the hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6158028,"Common Council approves scrap metal dealer license for Alternative 2 LLC at 700 W. Chippewa",718,480000,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf&start=480&end=1198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5462247-569d5ee0ff2d80014639dd3f0af653cf/thumbnail_480000.jpg","/articles/6158028/South-Bend-City/St-Joseph-County/Indiana/Common-Council-approves-scrap-metal-dealer-license-for-Alternative-2-LLC-at-700-W-Chippewa","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158028-d63cd60a227899dacb4c086f03cfb1a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180053&Signature=f5E4XEoshh3dV9q45SL2Jk4xi9lKX~ZqHxl2Qb97fayfXUazZu4hbm--u4XQn7Ejg~DWtpeYINA~cdiSk9IDXrF7Tf8AL~5SaFB9YdzovGh3pwU3Qb8kht0m3evqZzBawoUghDEDrSg2MboIC4qFzAUJYDIvSfriP2zZRDpd37t5gsk8zSVA3qtro-S37mU6ABitnGwlZeVAZex~akibYsyz0Ue7Y9gwHaXswKCqOFaIGHtDYLuyoMaydwIWIu1rJqRPrWIcN9xmEPnnDK4JRRMPbNcFXZQWiUbScS7aHwpIG-XTBKi2tfBIU0U5RLQ2F3LT6XzZKyPdTNlQma8H4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Bend Common Council on Wednesday approved Resolution 25-27, authorizing a 2025 scrap metal/junk dealer recycling license for Alternative 2 LLC at 700 West Chippewa Avenue.

Michelle Adams of the Department of Community Investment told the council the renewal application had been routed to the police department, fire inspection bureau, Neighborhood Resources and the Zoning Department and that the property “received favorable recommendations regarding fire code and environmental compliance” and for maintenance of the premises, including the fence. Adams said the South Bend Police Department found the applicant and property compliant and that city staff had checked environmental records through state and federal systems.

The license was approved after councilors asked follow-up questions about corporate status, prior dissolutions and reporting requirements. Adams said the company had been administratively restored with the Indiana secretary of state and that the department would verify entity status for future applicants. “They are considered as non-reporting because they do not purchase from the public,” Adams said, explaining why the company is not required to report purchases through the police department’s LEADS system.

Council discussion also noted that Adams’s office would verify environmental compliance through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s virtual file cabinet and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency records; Adams said Alternative 2 did not have active violations. Adams told the council her records go back 16 years for Alternative 2 and indicated the business had operated longer than that on file.

No members of the public spoke for or against the resolution during the public hearing portion. The council voted to approve Resolution 25-27; the clerk recorded the final tally as nine ayes.

Details the council recorded include the business address (700 West Chippewa Avenue), the city code citation read into the record (section 4-5-1 of the South Bend Municipal Code, as read by the clerk), the departments that reviewed the application (police, fire inspection bureau, Neighborhood Resources, and Zoning), and staff commitments to verify entity status for future renewals. Council members also requested that staff follow up on other applicants with inactive state filings.

The resolution’s approval means the city will issue the 2025 scrap metal/junk dealer recycling license to Alternative 2 LLC; no amendments to the ordinance or new enforcement action were adopted at the meeting.","The South Bend Common Council on May 28 approved Resolution 25-27 granting a 2025 scrap metal/junk dealer recycling license to Alternative 2 LLC after staff presented compliance checks and answered council questions about the company's state registration and reporting status.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents tell council of sanitation, safety and code-enforcement problems on Bergen Street; requests for sidewalks on Jackson Road

Council sends two zoning amendments to Plan Commission and Zoning & Annexation Committee

Council appoints Dr. Dave Bryant to Community Police Review Board

Common Council approves scrap metal dealer license for Alternative 2 LLC at 700 W. Chippewa