| Carmel Neighborhood Association Network The Carmel Neighborhood Association Network (CNAN) was formed in 2001 for
the purpose of strengthening the community by creating greater communication
between neighborhoods within the City of Carmel. Representatives from local
Homeowner Associations and Carmel residents are invited to attend the
quarterly meetings to learn more about the City’s policies and services,
neighborhood covenants, crime watch, road projects and other relevant
topics. The meeting concludes with an open discussion where residents are
given the chance to ask questions or raise concerns to Mayor Jim Brainard,
City Council Members, Department Heads or guest speakers.
The main objectives of the Carmel Neighborhood Association Network are
for Homeowner Association Presidents to network and help each other find
solutions to common problems, and to maintain strong, safe and attractive
neighborhoods throughout the City of Carmel.
CARMEL POLICE DEPARTMENT
GUIDELINES FOR ENFORCEMENT OF
CIVIL CODE VIOLATIONS
Introduction
As sworn officers of the Carmel Police Department, you have
been trained and are experienced in identifying, observing and responding to
criminal code violations and public safety emergencies. However, as you patrol
our City, you are also able to observe and respond to civil law violations.
While civil law violations are oftentimes not as exciting and interesting as
criminal investigations and apprehensions, the enforcement of our civil laws
remains very important to the peace, comfort and repose of our citizens. These
guidelines are designed to assist you in enforcing the civil laws codified in
our City Code.
Our Civil Laws
There are dozens of civil laws contained in our City Code.
The most frequently violated civil laws contained in our City Code are
categorized as follows:
A. Fees, Licenses and Permits
The City currently requires fees, permits and/or
licenses for many activities and purposes. These include:
| |
Subject |
Code Section |
|
1. |
Amusement Machines |
4-20 |
|
2. |
Door-To-Door Vendors |
4-26 |
|
3. |
Vicious Animals |
4-29 |
|
4. |
Taxicabs and Limousines |
4-40 |
|
5. |
Private Alarm Systems |
4-70 |
|
6. |
Trailers and Temporary Structures |
7-15 |
|
7. |
Driveway or Sidewalk Construction |
8-63 |
|
8. |
Street Excavations |
8-65 |
|
9. |
Extension of Water Lines |
9-31 |
|
10. |
Street Cuts |
9-51 |
B. Public Health and Safety
The City currently has several civil laws dealing with
public health and safety. These laws include:
| |
Subject |
Code Section |
|
1. |
Curfew |
6-45 |
|
2. |
Obstruction of streets/sidewalks |
6-48 |
|
3. |
Littering |
6-49 |
|
4. |
Construction of barbed wire/electric fences |
6-50 |
|
5. |
Damage to public property |
6-51 |
|
6. |
Snow removal from business sidewalks |
6-52 |
|
7. |
Posting signs on trees/poles in public right-of-way |
6-54 |
|
8. |
Display of goods for sale on public property |
6-59 |
|
9. |
Obstructing street gutter/drain |
6-60 |
|
10. |
Operating motorized vehicle on sidewalk |
6-63 |
|
11. |
Abandoned wells not securely covered |
6-77 |
|
12. |
Garbage cans that are not fly-tight |
6-77 |
|
13. |
Trash, scrap or other material that is a fire hazard or wherein vermin
may breed |
6-77 |
|
14. |
Noxious weeds |
6-77 |
|
15. |
Abandoned refrigerators (with door attached) |
6-79 |
|
16. |
Tree/hedge obstructing motorist’s view of intersection/crosswalk |
6-79 |
|
17. |
Graffiti |
6-82 |
|
18. |
Weeds, grass or other rank vegetation over 8" in height |
6-88 |
|
19. |
General animal care/treatment |
6-99 |
|
20. |
Animals running at large |
6-99 |
|
21. |
Storage of junked vehicle on private property |
6-108 |
|
22. |
Abandoned/mechanically inoperable vehicles on public street |
6-114 |
|
23. |
Outdoor burning of leaves |
6-145 |
|
24. |
Smoking in City Hall |
6-157 |
|
25. |
Excessive noise |
6-158 |
|
26. |
Unsafe buildings |
6-159 |
|
27. |
Erecting a building/structure in violation of Building Code |
7-22 |
|
28. |
Obtaining unmetered water |
9-68 |
|
29. |
Tampering with fire hydrant |
9-74 |
|
30. |
Erecting building / structure in violation of Zoning Ordinance |
10-161 |
|
31. |
Display of banners/lighter-than-air signs/portable signs/roof signs
without permit |
10-193 |
|
32. |
Signs located in any street or highway right-of-way |
10-193 |
Your Enforcement of Our City Code
Under Indiana law (I.C. 34-28-5-1 et. seq.),
you have the authority to detain any person whom you believe in good faith to
have violated any City ordinance, in order to (i) inform the person of
the allegation; (ii) obtain the person’s name, address, date of birth and
driver’s license; and (iii) allow the person to execute a notice to appear.
Pursuant to Section 1-11 of our City Code, a person violating any of the
provisions of the City Code shall be guilty of an ordinance violation.
Therefore, as sworn officers, you have the authority to issue a complaint and
summons, in substantially the form attached to these Guidelines as Exhibit A,
for any civil code violation you observe.
Nevertheless, certain City Code sections are primarily
enforced by other City departments. Therefore, except in rare instances, you
should contact the City department primarily responsible for the enforcement of
the following Code sections, rather than issuing a citation for the Code
violation yourself. A sample Request For Enforcement form is attached to these
Guidelines as Exhibit B. The types of City Code violations normally
enforced by other City departments include:
| |
SUBJECT |
PRIMARY ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT |
TELEPHONE EXTENSION |
|
1. |
Abandoned wells |
Utilities Department |
442 |
|
2. |
Banners/balloons/signs in right-of-way |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
3. |
Construction of driveways / sidewalks |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
4. |
Non-fly tight garbage cans |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
5. |
Noxious weeds, high grass |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
6. |
Obtaining unmetered water |
Utilities Department |
442 |
|
7. |
Outdoor burning of leaves |
Carmel Fire Department |
600 |
|
8. |
Out-of-Zone buildings |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
9. |
Posted signs on trees / poles |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
10. |
Street excavations / cuts |
Department of Engineering |
441 |
|
11. |
Tampering with fire hydrant |
Carmel Fire Department |
600 |
|
12. |
Trailers / temporary structures |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
13. |
Unsafe buildings |
Department of Community Services |
571 |
|
14. |
Water line extensions |
Utilities Department |
442 |
Conclusion
The Carmel Police Department is, to a large extent, the
"eyes and ears" of the City. The maintenance of our fine quality of
life rests in no small measure on your ability, willingness and vigilance in
enforcing the civil laws contained in our City Code. Your assistance in this
regard is appreciated and expected by the City, the public and your peers. If
you have any questions about these Guidelines or about any civil law addressed
herein, please contact your supervisor or the City Attorney.
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