PUBLIC SAFETY

Broad Ripple calm amid increased police presence

Cara Anthony
cara.anthony@indystar.com

There were go-go dancers, disc jockeys, and plenty of drinks to go around, but there was something decidedly different about the Broad Ripple strip early this morning.

Just before midnight, a parade of cruisers, SUVs and unmarked cars — at least 30 police vehicles — quickly quieted the sound of blaring car stereos on Broad Ripple Avenue, where police officers delivered a clear message to revelers: We are here.

One week after a shooting there left 7 people injured, officers lined every corner of the strip while patrons trickled into Broad Ripple's bars, clubs and lounges late Friday night.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department turned out in numbers, even though many of the officers started their day early at funeral services Friday for fallen Indianapolis metropolitan police officer Perry Renn.

"Manpower is a tough thing, but we are throwing everything at it," Sgt. Paul Vanek said while on patrol in Broad Ripple.

Police closed down the street, which the city has said now could become an every weekend late-night occurrence. Pedestrians were allowed only on the sidewalk, keeping the atmosphere peaceful on Friday night with no major disruptions immediately reported by police.

Indianapolis police Sgt. Kendale Adams said Excise Police made two arrests. A 44-year-old man also reported that a man punched him in the face and then robbed him of $16 at about 1:15 a.m. at a Village Pantry, 6302 N. College Ave.

Nearly every bar on the strip had hired an off-duty officer or multiple officers to stand in front of their establishments, where business was lighter than usual.

"It's a little slow, but it's Broad Ripple," Neil Campbell, general manager for LandSharks said. "We bounce back."

On regular Friday night, up to 300 patrons stop by LandSharks, Campbell said, noting that only a handful of his regular customers did not show up.

But across the street at the Broad Ripple Tavern, things were significantly slower said General Manager Jim Burgess. The tavern usually sees about 500 people on the first night of the weekend. About 250 showed up on Friday.

"Tonight's vibe has been different, but it's getting better," Burgess said. "Everybody is trying to be positive."

Street musicians and bar bands kept patrons moving while officers stood nearby. They carried on conversations while locals dipped in and out of bars.

"I don't feel scared," Kimberly Drake, 26, said. "If something is going to happen, it will happen. You can't sit at home scared."

Her friends agreed, but some Broad Ripple patrons had mixed feelings about returning to the strip in the aftermath of last week's shooting that happened after two suspects bumped into each other on the sidewalk and then fired gunshots, wounding bystanders.

"Anyone would be nervous ... but I feel like they have taken precautions," said Kyle Brown, 32, of Indianapolis. "Usually, I don't get out to Broad Ripple much, but I decided to get out and have some fun."

Chris Miller, owner of The Red Room, said he was concerned the police presence would keep people away from his lounge on Guilford Avenue.

"We typically don't see any problems over here, but parking all the cop cars over here in front of our location is terrible for business," Miller said. "Anybody walking down the street thinks there is something going on over here, so I am not too happy about it."

Miller said patrol cars parked in front of his establishment last summer, but he asked them to move.

"I feel just as safe today as I did a week ago," he said.

By 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, Police Chief Rick Hite drove the strip in his police cruiser, nodding to the officers manning the avenue. His appearance was not out of the ordinary, officers said, noting that the police department has closed down the area before when things have gotten out of hand.

"Contrary to what people think, we've been doing this a lot for the past two of three years," Vanek said.

Closing the strip in the past meant shutting down the area at 2 a.m., Vanek said.

However, city officials this week directed police to start closing the stretch of Broad Ripple Avenue from College to Guilford avenues a bit earlier — from midnight to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for the remainder of the summer.

"I'm all for prevention," Vanek said. "If doing it earlier prevents people who are up to no good from coming down here, I'm all for it."

Call Star reporter Cara Anthony at (317) 444-6049. Follow her on Twitter:@CaraRAnthony.