City Targets Dollar Inns During Motel Sweep 8.17.11

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INDIANAPOLIS -- The city of Indianapolis has compiled a top 10 list of the Circle City’s worst motels.
The list isn’t based on customer satisfaction. Instead, officials said the motels were ranked based on the demand for public safety resources.

The Department of Code Enforcement put together a team of police officers, fire firefighters, health and homeland officials, and zoning officers to check out Dollar Inns around Indy. At the Castleton Dollar Inn, cheaper isn't always better, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

Mike Elder stayed at the Dollar Inn for one night and said he encountered unexpected extras during his stay.

"In one night, people came downstairs and knocked on doors. There were people dealing drugs in the parking lot. This place is nasty and needs to be bulldozed,” Elder said.

At the Dollar Inn near the airport, investigators found three adults and two small children living in a room with just two beds. One of the mothers had an outstanding warrant for theft and the father was wanted by Ohio officials on a warrant out of Columbus as a sex offender, IMPD Det. Bill Carter said.

"(The father) was released from their system but never registered as a sex offender," Carter said.

At that same Dollar Inn, officials said the motel received nearly 50 state fire violations.

According to city officials, the Dollar Inns are among the worst motels in Indianapolis. Between 2009 and August 2011, metro police have responded to nearly 1,300 trouble calls on reports of vandalism and other crimes, city licensing administrator Adam Collins said.

"Obviously, something is going on that isn't positive. It's not positive for the guests. It's having an effect on city resources. We're going to try and find a way to stop it," Collins said.

The City said it plans to study more than two dozen troubled motels, analyzing everything from rate structures, to record keeping and housekeeping.

"We're going to factor in all of those different pieces and sit down and (use it) as a precursor to getting your license, you are going to take steps that will help to reduce your crime runs," Collins said about the motels.

The Dollar Inn's operating licenses are up for renewal.

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