INDIANAPOLIS – Residents in Broad Ripple spent Tuesday night talking about crime.
With summer just a few months away, they want to make sure their streets will be safe. Warm summer nights historically bring lots of people out in Broad Ripple, and with those big crowds sometimes come big problems.
“It’s busy,” said Ashley Crockett-Lohr, “People just have to take the proper precautions, be safe, be smart at night.”
In the past couple of years, residents have noticed those large crowds sometimes get rowdy.
“It seems like every summer, it gets more crowded, more crowded as the years go on,” said Brian Gelenius of Indianapolis.
Last August, four people got hurt in a violent exchange outside a club. For residents, it was a wake-up call.
“We’ve seen a huge uptick in the number of patrons that come out Friday, Saturday night, even causing IMPD to have to close down the streets because of safety issues,” said Scott Dunlap with the Broad Ripple Village Association.
Dunlap’s job is keeping an eye on public safety. It was a main point of the association’s spring meeting Tuesday night. Dunlap said from last year to this year, overall crime is down in the area.
“We’re working very closely with IMPD to curb any kind of crime that happens, whether it’s violent crime or property crime, and IMPD has responded,” he said.
IMPD’s had a Broad Ripple enforcement plan in place for three years. It includes both officers on foot and bike patrols.
But still Dunlap’s message to residents as spring turns to summer is be careful, since history shows crowds in Broad Ripple can lead to crime.
“We do tell people, if you’re walking home, walk in a group or take a taxi home. Walk in well lit areas,” he said.
IMPD does offer tips to residents who head out to highly populated areas like Broad Ripple. Police advise that you should walk in groups, keep your valuables out of sight and make sure you have someone sober in your group.
Police also advise that if someone approaches you, don’t put up a struggle.
