Indianapolis - While city snow plows are tackling busy streets, many sidewalks remain snow-covered making it tough and even dangerous to get around on foot.
Michelle Johnson and her mother Carol Mundy found out firsthand Wednesday morning as they tried to navigate Post Road. Because the sidewalks were covered in icy snow, they had to walk in the street.
As Johnson explained, when her mother walks in the snow "it makes her unbalanced because she has to use her stick, so every little bump" makes it difficult to walk.
"I'm afraid if a car runs off and hits my daughter and me and I can't see her. It's scary. It's why they need to scrape the sidewalks so we can get to the bus area," said Mundy.
Watching the two women hug the edge of the road as cars and buses drove by made a nearby resident angry.
"They should not be out here walking in the middle of the street. She's blind. My guess is the city doesn't care about people. They need to come out and clean it up before someone is seriously hurt," said one man.
A spokesperson for the Department of Public Works said it's the property owner's responsibility to clear sidewalks and if they don't, the Department of Code Enforcement can fine them $50.
However, most times the property owner voluntarily complies once told of the violation.
That's what happened in this case. When the manager of Oak Tree Apartments was told that pedestrians were having a difficult time walking the snow-covered sidewalks, she immediately called her maintenance crew. Minutes later, they were out clearing the walks with shovels and a snow blower.
It will make Mundy's next trip out easier. She just hopes other property owners will do likewise, noting many people can't drive, they have to walk and year round.
