Fire and police present monthly statistics; department outlines steps on short‑term rental complaints and youth programs

Michigan City public safety officials delivered routine monthly reports to the Common Council on June 3 and outlined steps to address neighborhood complaints tied to short‑term rentals and youth safety programs.

Fire report: Fire Chief Taylor said the department responded to 446 calls in May, including 17 fires, 316 medical calls, 18 hazardous‑condition calls, 14 service calls, 48 good‑intent calls (such as canceled responses), 30 false alarms and two special‑incident types. Chief Taylor said Narcan was administered eight times during the month. He reported 2,042 calls year‑to‑date compared with 1,965 at the same point last year — an increase of 77 calls.

Police report: The Michigan City Police Department provided May statistics that a department representative summarized as 4,014 total calls for service in May — 447 more than April — and supplied a new breakdown of loud‑noise and loud‑music incidents citywide. The department also flagged Sheridan Beach as a sector with elevated short‑term rental disturbance complaints; the chief said the department counted 16 complaints in Sheridan Beach in May (area sectors 105 and 106) and will continue to provide that breakdown.

Enforcement and coordination: Police leaders told the council they will work with code enforcement by adding short‑term rental property identifiers into dispatch so officers will know when a call involves an Airbnb or other short‑term rental. That will allow police to forward documented enforcement actions and incident counts to code enforcement for follow‑up.

Toy “pellet” blasters: Council members asked the chief about toy pellet blasters that shoot water or polymer pellets. The chief described them as “souped up” toy guns that can cause injury when misused (for example, when frozen pellets are fired) and said enforcement will be pursued when the devices are used against nonparticipants or in ways that injure people or damage property.

Youth and community programs: The police reported the Youth Leadership Academy will run next week with 47 participants (the class is full); graduation is set for Friday, June 13 at 1 p.m. in the council chamber. The department also announced a Midnight Hoops program (July 13–Aug. 3, Sundays) for ages 13–25, and a National Night Out planned for Aug. 5 from 5–8 p.m., pending final approvals from redevelopment staff.

Public meetings: Councilman Cora said he plans a public meeting on June 10 at the EOC at 5 p.m. to address short‑term rental complaints in Sheridan Beach and next steps for enforcement and possible ordinance changes. Police said they will continue to track and report short‑term rental incidents to code enforcement.

No formal policy changes or ordinances were adopted on June 3; the reports were informational and the council requested further coordination between police and code enforcement.