City files nuisance suits against apartments

Indianapolis city officials have filed public nuisance charges against two west-side apartment complexes that allegedly have generated more than 3,200 police runs since 2008 for incidents such as assault, armed robbery and homicide.

The suits say that both La Esmeralda Apartments and Heather Ridge Apartments have “unreasonably consumed city, public and law enforcement resources,” according to city officials. The complexes also have triggered more than 200 public health and code enforcement investigations since 2008, the suits allege.

“It is absolutely critical to our efforts to combat crime and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods that we crack down on negligent property owners,” said Mayor Greg Ballard in a prepared release.

The suits seek an unspecified amount for damages, and demand that the complexes take steps to improve safety, such as installing and maintaining security cameras, hiring private security, and screening applicants. 

La Esmeralda is located at 3621 Lawnview Lane, directly east of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. Heather Ridge is located at 7101 W. 34th St., close to the southern tip of Eagle Creek Reservoir.

Property records show La Esmeralda is owned by a limited liability company that gets its property tax bill in Massachusetts and lists Marco Seidman as a principal.

Heather Ridge is owned by a company called BSG Enterprises LLC that lists as its principal Bhupendra Gupta of Indianapolis.

Gupta told IBJ Tuesday afternoon that he was in the process of making changes specified by the city, and that he and his attorney would meet with city officials Wednesday to discuss "whatever they need us to do."

Gupta said he lives on the property, but wasn't aware of any criminal activity.

A representative at La Esmeralda referred questions to an attorney, who was not immediately available.