The Department of Code Enforcement said weeds around the city have grown so quickly, crews are gearing up to begin mowing programs three weeks in advance.

DCE spokeswoman Kate Johnson said the agency has received more complaints than usual, RTV6’s Jack Rinehart reported.

"We're doing proactive sweeps of neighborhoods that historically have been shown to have a high number of violations," Johnson said. “Not only are people calling into the Mayor's Action Center, but we're actually reporting these ourselves.”

Hoosier Bryan Rutland lives in the 3100 block of North Broadway and said several lots in his neighborhood are covered with weeds over 8 feet tall.

"Me and my neighbor have called the Mayor's Action Center," Rutland said. “They said they would be out here, but they're backlogged."

By June 10, the city had conducted nearly 11,000 property inspections. Nearly 3,000 were carried out by the same time last year. Inspectors have issued nearly 7,300 citations, an increase of 1,200 since last year, officials said.

DCE officials said weeds in excess of 12 inches are considered a violation. Property owners cited with a notice of violation have five business days to correct the problem. If the citation is ignored, the city will levy a $353 assessment if a contractor ends up cutting the weeds.

Officials said the weed-cutting program is completely funded with fines paid by violators.