There were about 25 people at the September 19, 2006, public meeting of the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA). BRVA president Ellen Morley Matthews welcomed everyone to the first Fall meeting.

Officer Brian Dixon handed out the IPD north district crime report. The majority of the police runs were for vandalism and vehicle larceny. Officer Dixon stated that the latest crime spree is home invasions. The attacks have mostly been in the Butler-Tarkington area, and all of the victims have been elderly. Each of the crime scenarios has been similar, starting with the resident either in the yard, on the porch, or in the house. The resident is bound by tape and rope while the criminal looks for money and merchandise. None of the residents have been hurt. Officer Dixon said that the word is out that IPD is on the case, which may result in the crimes moving to another area.

Officer Dixon announced that the IPD district map is changing. Around the first of the year the North District headquarters at 42nd and College Avenue will move to the East District headquarters on the site on the old zoo. He stated that the current North District building would be too small after the merger. It is expected that either youth services or the SLED team (Street Level Enforcement Detail) will occupy the building after they move to the east side.

Ellen announced that in lieu of the October public BRVA meeting, the BRVA will be participating in a Town Hall Meeting at Broad Ripple High School. The meeting will be Tuesday, October 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the main auditorium. This will be a tri-neighborhood meeting - BRVA, MKNA (Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association), and BTNA (Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association). The October BRVA meeting is normally when the election for the board of directors is held. This year the election will be moved to the November public meeting. Five seats on the board are open; interested persons may contact BRVA executive director Sharon Freeland at 251-BRVA or at sharon.b.freeland@mybroadripple.com.

Linda Shikany, owner of Marigold and gingko, and head of the beautification committee, reported on the three projects in the Village. 1) Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIBI) is working with the BRVA to landscape the medians on College Avenue between Broad Ripple Avenue and 71st Street. 2) The planting of the fire station garden. 3) The planting of the garden around the BRVA sign at College and Westfield. Helen Landsem donated 60 plants for the sign garden in memory of her parents, Karl and Bessie Theilig. Many readers knew Karl as the flower man on Kessler. Helen continues her father's flower business at Kessler Boulevard and Rosslyn Avenue. She also is often at the Broad Ripple Farmers Market.

Diane Seybert, owner of The Bungalow, reported on the last Broad Ripple Merchants Group meeting. The 2006 Holiday Preview Party is scheduled for Friday, November 10, from 5 to 10 P.M. and may include a tree lighting.

In the community sharing portion of the meeting, Ellen said that there is a new girls' dance team at BRHS called the Rock-ettes. The girls are looking for sponsors to help pay for uniforms.

The next public meeting of the BRVA will be Tuesday, November 21, 2006, at 7 P.M. at the Indianapolis Art Center.