INDIANAPOLIS -- Vacant homes and foreclosures have caused a rampant weed problem in some Indianapolis neighborhoods -- a problem that could cost property owners some green.

City inspectors are on the streets with ticket books in hand, looking for high weeds, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

Tall grass and weeds are on both sides of Mattie Travis' home in the 300 block of North Temple Avenue.

"From here to there, it looks ugly, don't it?" Travis said. "I'm having my (wedding) reception in the back yard. It would look nice if all of this was cut down."

Ample spring rain and cool temperatures cultivated a strong growing season. With more than 9,000 vacant homes and a record number of foreclosures, the problems caused by unattended homes are exacerbated.

"You can imagine living next door to a yard like that -- you don't want to do it," said Derrick Moore, of D&P Lawn Care. "Who wants to buy in a neighborhood looking like that?"

The city has received more than 900 complaints from residents about overgrown properties, and city inspectors will check each of them, Rinehart reported.

Property owners found in violation will receive a written notice giving them 10 days to get the weeds under control. If after that time a property owner is deemed to still be in violation, the city will clean the lot and bill the owner $301.

The weed problem is more than just an issue of aesthetics. City officials said clean properties fit with Mayor Greg Ballard's crime-fighting strategy.

"If tall grass and weeds are able to provide a safe haven for any type of criminal activity, if we can get that cut and we can get that cleaned up, that just adds to crime prevention in these areas," said Kit Werbe of the Department of Public Works.