Around 60 people attended the quarterly public meeting of the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) at the Indianapolis Art Center (IAC) on July 21, 2009. BRVA president Elizabeth Marshall welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited all to stay for the BRVA's 40th birthday party.

First on the agenda was Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) North District (N.D.) Commander Robert Holt. Holt became N.D. commander in April. Holt explained that additional officers have been patrolling Broad Ripple, some are undercover. They have made some arrests. One recent arrest led to an admission that the accused was involved in 30 other robberies and a northwest Indy murder.

Holt stressed that if someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your door to always acknowledge it. Don't open the door, but let them know you are home. If they claim to be from a utility, ask for ID without opening the door.

A question came from the audience about after-hours drinking by off-duty officers. It was said that off-duty officers working for bars in the Village have been seen drinking inside clubs after the 3 A.M. legal serving time. Holt answered that it is against policy for officers to drink alcohol while in uniform. He was not sure if the matter in question was a liquor law violation, although he said that this conduct would not be good practice.

The rest of the meeting was very brief so that everyone could move out onto the patio area for cake and ice cream. The next public BRVA meeting will be October 20, 2009, at the IAC. Board elections will be held. Interested parties can contact the BRVA at 251-BRVA.