IMPD urges teamwork and safety during winter storm response
Jan 06, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS -- Emergency crews across Indianapolis are continuing to work 24 hours keeping everyone safe from the winter weather.
When winter weather happens, we're stronger when we work together. That's the message being shared by IMPD.
That means street crews will do their part by clearing roads. Police will continue to respond to emergencies. At the same time, the public can do its part by either staying home or driving safely.
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Around the clock, city crews continue cleaning sidewalks and roads, but even with all that work travel remains tricky.
From noon Sunday to noon Monday, IMPD responded to 32 disabled vehicles. Some of those abandoned cars were left parked in the middle of the road.
"We want to remind people if you don't have to be out on the roads, please stay in. Crews will be out all night. There's so much snow to be cleared. We ask you to stay off the roadways if possible," said IMPD officer Tommy Thompson.
In addition to state police, who responded to hundreds of crashes across Indiana, over a 24-hour span IMPD officers were called to another 78 crashes and 74 slide-offs.
In one case Sunday night, an off-duty IMPD officer helped change a flat tire for a couple and their two young kids who had become stranded.
"It takes a long time, but we're responding to so many different runs, from criminal activity, to just these assist citizens," said Thompson.
IMPD also reminds everyone that not every crash or slide-off requires a call to 911.
People involved in non-injury crashes or who need to make any non-emergency report can contact 311.
That allows 911 to respond to medical emergencies or immediate threats to public safety.
"It's those types of incidents we ask you to call you 311 so 911 remains open for emergency runs," said Thompson.
If an abandoned vehicle is blocking traffic, it could be towed immediately.
If it's on the shoulder, out of the roadway, it may be left for 72 hours prior to towing.