Warsaw ordinance to ban stopping or standing on Sunset Drive bridge

Warsaw officials and neighbors along Sunset Drive bridge are hoping a new ordinance will cease problems involving those who come there to fish.

Warsaw City Council passed an ordinance Thursday night that does not ban fishing, but instead prohibits stopping or standing on, near and even under the bridge which spans Lones Ditch and leads to Little Pike Lake.

Problems at the bridge have been going on for years, but seemed to worsen in recent years. In 2017, police received 17 complaints.

The area is viewed by some as the best place to catch catfish in the city, but with it has come overnight fishing escapades that have brought with it excessive noise, trespassing, littering, property damage and a sense of intimidation, according to some neighbors.

The ordinance replaces one that had mysteriously fallen off the books years ago. Officials realized the ordinance could not be found last year when complaints about activities there arose.

Enforcement won’t begin for at least 30 days because of legal advertising requirements.