Mayor urges Hammond 311 for complaints; police chief says cars blocking driveways may be towed

Multiple residents used Mayor's Night Out on Jan. 28 to raise everyday service problems — driveway-blocking vehicles, nuisance properties, stagnant pool water, board-up and mowing fees, and garbage-truck leachate ('juice') entering garages.

On driveway-blocking, the Hammond Police Chief said vehicles blocking driveways should be towed in cases where a resident cannot leave or return safely and pledged to follow up on a specific incident mentioned during the meeting. The mayor reiterated callers should use 911 for immediate emergencies and 311 for service or code complaints so the city can document and track responses.

Code enforcement staff described the process for nuisance properties: investigators review police calls, forward serious cases to law, issue written notices and, when necessary, contractors are hired to board or clean properties. Administrative charges for board-up and cut-and-clean actions are placed on the property as liens and, where statute allows, may be added to property taxes if unpaid.

Sanitation concerns included a resident report that compacting garbage trucks repeatedly left liquid in his garage. Public Works said new trucks still compact and can leave leachate; staff recommended documenting incidents through Hammond 311 so supervisors can follow up and, when needed, send sweepers to clean affected areas.

Attendees were encouraged to submit written contact information so departments can follow up directly after the meeting; city staff indicated they will respond through departmental channels rather than on-air when personal information is involved.