Large groups of people in cars — up to 500 vehicles at a time — have been gathering in various locations in the City of Fishers, leading to complaints about speeding, loitering, noise, trash and blocking access to businesses.
The Fishers City Council voted unanimously March 18 to adopt an anti-loitering ordinance allowing law enforcement to fine individuals participating in those disruptive events $250 per incident.
Before the vote, Fishers Police Department Major Ryan Jones told the council that the meetups have been a growing problem in Fishers, with participants doing “burnouts” and other activities that cause excessive noise for surrounding neighborhoods. There are safety concerns, he said, and the meetups can cause problems for businesses.
“Two weeks ago, Circle K was unable to get a gas delivery because of all the vehicles that took over the lots there,” he said.
FPD Chief Ed Gebhart said similar meetups in Indianapolis have escalated, with groups taking over streets and intersections, sometimes leading to violence.
“I think that if we continue to not have some sort of council help with fining these individuals and telling them that it’s not going to be tolerated here, I think we leave ourselves open to a very busy summer of dealing with this,” he said.
Gebhart noted that car enthusiasts who want to gather in Fishers can go through the city’s permitting process. He said he is in contact with some of the organizers and will work with them to try and resolve the issue, but the ordinance gives police another tool to discourage unwanted behavior.
In other matters, the council recognized three individuals who received 2024 Inclusion and Accessibility Awards from the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability. March is Disability Awareness Month.
The three honorees are Stacey Oldham, who received the Life Without Limits Award; Lauren Hayes of Heartland Church, who received the Cornerstone Employer Award; and Jillian Mack, who received the Accessibility Award.
The council also approved a project agreement with Gray Eagle Golf LLC, which plans to build housing adjacent to its golf course.
Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner said the approximately 100 homes will be multi-family garden-style units. The agreement allows the developer to use tax increment financing funds to help fund the project, which has been in the works for many years, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Developers plan to have it completed by 2027 at the latest.
The next Fishers City Council meeting is 7 p.m. April 15 at Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way.
