The absence of daytime security services is cited in a new complaint against Lugar Tower

Indianapolis, Indiana – A fresh grievance has been lodged against the Indianapolis Housing Agency regarding safety issues at the downtown high-rise known as Richard G. Lugar Tower apartments.

Days after the Indianapolis Housing Agency settled a lawsuit to address concerns with tenants in the 17-story complex housing 250 elderly and disabled individuals, the complaint was filed. Constructed in 1974, it underwent renovations in 2012.

Residents of Lugar Tower have been worried about the building’s state for a number of years, according to the Rev. David Greene Sr. of Purpose of Life Ministries.

“Hearing about the living conditions there is not really new. It’s been something that’s been taking place for a little while now.”

A complaint was filed in April by multiple residents of Lugar Tower alleging poor living conditions: Anyone could enter the building by removing the entrance door off its track. Break-ins at apartments were on the rise. Something was stabbed. In stairwells, human waste was discovered. Trash was accumulating and not being removed. The lifts were malfunctioning.

On Nov. 2, the Housing Agency announced the settlement of the lawsuit and promised to resolve the difficulties.

A few days later, a new complaint was made by a resident of Lugar Tower. The lawyer for the resident released a statement.

“Within days of the Indianapolis Housing Agency signing a settlement agreement, our client brought forward new safety concerns because the landlord withdrew daytime security services. The law and the agreement with IHA require them to provide a ‘reasonable security presence.’ Renters have the right to feel safe and protected in their own homes, so we are making sure their landlord adheres to their responsibilities,” said Jodi Velasco of Indiana Legal Services and Fran Quigley.

The reverend said, “Baseline safety is extremely important because one of the unintended consequences could be we’re losing seniors, or we’re losing people with disabilities because somebody broke in the building, somebody got in the building, somebody wanted to exploit our seniors, or exploit people with disabilities.”

Indiana was represented by U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar from 1977 to 2013. At the age of 87, the native Indianapolis Republican passed away in April 2019.