Crown Point Indiana Revealed

06/02/2026

A resident sharply criticized Mayor Pete Land, members of the City Council, and Plan Commission members, accusing them of failing to hold city officials accountable and remaining silent regarding alleged misconduct by City Attorney Alex Kutanovski. The resident argued that the council's refusal to condemn certain actions demonstrated where their loyalties lie and claimed that social media and public scrutiny make it impossible to hide what is happening in city government.

The resident specifically addressed Councilwoman Sauerman, alleging that she privately expressed disagreement with decisions made publicly but failed to speak up during meetings. He also accused her of changing her position on subdivision lot sizes between a Plan Commission meeting and a subsequent City Council meeting.

The resident criticized long-serving council members, including Bob Clemons and Mr. Kyres, claiming they have contributed to the city's current problems. He cited concerns about aging infrastructure, approximately $381 million in debt, emergency response delays, and the city's need for additional fire stations. Councilman Jeffries was also questioned regarding a backyard pool that allegedly lacked required fencing for several years.

Mayor Pete Land responded by defending city officials, stating that council members work hard, make difficult decisions, care deeply about the community, and often face misinformation and false accusations. He described Crown Point as a great place to live and raise a family.

Councilman Bob Clemons then responded, saying he deals in facts rather than accusations. He criticized the resident's comments as noise and defended the council's record, stating that the city has come a long way under their leadership and that council members do their best to serve the community.

As tensions remained high, a member of the audience shouted, "Can't wait for 2027," suggesting anticipation of future elections and potential political change.

05/27/2026

During his recent “Mondays with the Mayor,” Pete Land said that Crown Point has not been approached about a data center project.

With Merrillville now placing a one-year moratorium on new data center developments, it raises an important question: will Crown Point eventually be asked to consider one instead?

Given the growing demand for large-scale data centers across Northwest Indiana, I wouldn’t be surprised if this administration entertains the idea in the future. These projects bring major discussions about infrastructure, utilities, traffic, noise, tax revenue, and long-term quality of life impacts for residents.

Communities across the Region are beginning to take a closer look before making permanent decisions. Crown Point residents deserve transparency and open discussion if proposals ever come forward.

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Memorial Day is more than a holiday, it is a day of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance for those who gave their lives defending the freedoms we enjoy every day.

We pause to honor our fallen heroes and the families who carry their legacy forward. Their courage, sacrifice, and service will never be forgotten.

From all of us at Crown Point Indiana Revealed, we thank our heroes and remember them today and always. 🇺🇸

05/23/2026

The situation involving New Chicago Police Chief Earl Mayo has quickly become one of the biggest law enforcement controversies in Northwest Indiana this year. Mayo was arrested Friday in Ohio while federal and local investigators were reportedly carrying out search warrants connected to an ongoing criminal investigation. According to multiple sources, more than 100 fi****ms were allegedly seized from Mayo’s Merrillville home by Lake County police and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF).

Because of the investigation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department has now taken over all policing duties for the small town of New Chicago. Current Sheriff Oscar Martinez said residents should not worry about police protection and emphasized the matter is still under investigation.

What makes this story politically significant is that Earl Mayo is the son of Jerry Williams, the longtime Indiana State Police major who recently won the Democratic primary for Lake County sheriff and is now the Democratic nominee heading into the November election.

Williams released a public statement expressing concern and sadness over the allegations involving his son. He stated that if the allegations are proven true, Mayo should “accept responsibility for his actions and face the consequences.” His response has drawn attention because he did not attempt to excuse or defend the alleged conduct, instead stressing accountability and the values his family tried to instill.

For many voters, this now places Jerry Williams in a difficult political position. On one hand, he has built a reputation in Northwest Indiana law enforcement through decades with the Indiana State Police and entered the sheriff’s race as a well-known Democratic candidate. On the other hand, the investigation involving his son will likely become a major issue during the campaign, especially as more details emerge about the alleged fi****ms investigation and possible criminal charges.

At the same time, some people may separate Jerry Williams from the actions of his adult son, particularly because of the firm tone of his statement and his long law enforcement background. Others may question oversight, judgment, or political connections within local policing circles. Much will depend on what investigators ultimately reveal and whether formal charges are filed in Lake County.

The case also shines a spotlight on the small town of New Chicago itself, a municipality of less than one square mile that now finds itself at the center of a major regional law enforcement investigation.

A Northwest Indiana small-town police chief was being held in an Ohio jail Saturday amid a criminal investigation and county police takeover of his town's policing.

05/20/2026

The City of Crown Point is asking for a variance to allow a wastewater treatment plant in an R-1A residential zoning district on nearly 44 acres at 2051 E. 121st Ave. The public hearing will be held May 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM before the Board of Zoning Appeals.

This should be opposed. A residential zoning district exists for homes and neighborhoods — not for a wastewater treatment plant. Changing the rules through a variance just to meet the city’s needs sets a dangerous precedent. If this type of industrial use belongs there, then why was the property zoned residential in the first place?

How can anyone seriously expect residential growth around this area while placing a sewage treatment plant nearby? Who is going to want to build homes next to odors, increased traffic, and infrastructure tied to wastewater operations? It makes no sense to market residential development while simultaneously approving a plant that many residents fear will impact quality of life and property values.

Residents deserve transparency and answers about why residentially zoned land is being transformed into industrial utility use through a variance process instead of proper zoning changes and broader public discussion.

This is exactly why residents need to pay attention and speak up at the hearing before permanent decisions are made for the future of Crown Point neighborhoods.

05/16/2026

This was shared on another platform and wanted to chime in to give my opinion:
Q. Can you ask if anyone has seen increase in water bill? My bill this month was $265! Am told I am using 4x the minimum! I do not have any leaking toilets. Family of 4 so yes use dishwasher, laundry , shower...all the normal things

My opinion: People are finally starting to wake up and see what’s happening. Residents are paying for this wastewater treatment plant because a developer approached the city and the politicians went right along with it. Now the taxpayers are getting hammered with utility bills while the city acts like nothing is wrong.

And don’t expect Mayor Pete Land to give anyone a straight answer. He’ll dodge, deflect, and spin it all day long. His favorite line is always, “I’ll circle back.” Circle back to what? Another rate increase? Another excuse? Residents are tired of being treated like ATMs while the city keeps making deals behind closed doors.

05/11/2026

For clarification — This photo is a screenshot I personally took weeks ago from Facebook before it was removed. Just correcting the record before the usual defenders start spinning narratives.

Federal prosecutors are painting a disturbing picture of the alleged Gerodemos gambling ring — describing Michael Campbell as not just a bettor or collector, but an alleged “enforcer” deeply loyal to the operation and its accused leader. Court filings say Campbell praised James Gerodemos as a mentor and inspiration, sent him a mob-themed poem, posed with stacks of cash, and even allegedly chased an undercover agent down I-65 at speeds over 100 mph in a union-owned truck.

What should concern people in Northwest Indiana even more is who Campbell was publicly standing beside just days before the indictments exploded into public view.

A photo from an April political fundraiser showed Campbell posing alongside Crown Point Mayor Pete Land, St. John Police Chief Steven Flores, labor leaders, and other political figures. Nobody in the photo besides Campbell has been accused of wrongdoing, but the optics are terrible. Residents are tired of seeing the same political circles constantly intertwined with powerful union figures, insiders, and people now tied to major federal investigations.

And once again, Pete Land stayed silent. According to the article, he “did not immediately respond” to requests for comment. At some point the public deserves answers instead of silence every time controversy hits close to home.
Full article below:

https://nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_0ba2476b-6804-42ae-a517-3453c7df38d2.html

05/11/2026

A frustrated wife took direct aim at the Crown Point administration, accusing city leadership of intimidation, retaliation, and a complete failure of accountability.

She said she rarely speaks at meetings, but felt forced to come forward after learning that a mugshot of her husband from when he was 18 years old — more than 30 years ago — was allegedly obtained and used against him after he spoke out publicly.

She blasted the situation as unethical, unacceptable, and deeply disturbing, accusing city officials of operating under a system where certain people think the rules don’t apply to them.

The resident directly challenged Mayor Pete Land, demanding immediate answers instead of silence and backroom discussions:Will there be an investigation?Will anyone be held accountable?Or will city leadership continue to ignore it?

She also called out the city council, asking whether they believe someone who allegedly obtained the photo to humiliate or silence a resident in retaliation should still be employed by the city.

Her message was blunt:If city leaders do nothing, then they are telling every resident in Crown Point that intimidation and retaliation are acceptable behavior.

She closed with a warning to the administration:“The public is watching — and your silence will be your answer.”

05/09/2026

A frustrated Crown Point resident is blasting the city after sewer costs in the Westlong neighborhood reportedly skyrocketed from an original estimate of around $35 a month to nearly $135 a month for sewer service alone. The resident claims city officials kept increasing the cost after homeowners already agreed to the project.

They also say the individual pumps forced onto residents have been unreliable, breaking down frequently and struggling during cold weather. According to the resident, homeowners are now stuck paying huge monthly bills while dealing with ongoing equipment problems. Even more concerning, they claim posts discussing the issue keep disappearing from local groups, raising serious concerns about transparency and censorship.

My opinion? If residents were promised one thing and are now paying nearly four times more, people have every right to be angry. Sewer projects should come with full honesty upfront — not changing numbers after residents are locked in. Families are already struggling enough without surprise utility costs exploding overnight. And if discussion about these issues is being silenced instead of addressed, that only creates more distrust in local government.