Residents recommend more lights to improve Broad Ripple safety

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Enough.

That's what a Broad Ripple resident is saying after becoming a recent victim of an armed robbery. But instead of just talking, he's taking action.

Two weeks ago, AJ Macht was an armed robbery victim in Broad Ripple.

"We were on a side street. It was dark, and we saw him from a little bit away,” Macht tells 24 Hour News 8. “He reached into his waist band, grabbed a gun, put it out to my head. Said, ‘get down, get down on the ground now. ’"

Macht's experience is not isolated. According to statistics from IMPD, there have been eight armed robbery reports in Broad Ripple during the past three weeks. All but one of the reports occurred on a weekend. All took place in the early morning hours, while the crime scenes were covered in darkness.

Relieved that he wasn't hurt, Macht started an online petition to add street lights on three of the busiest side streets in the area. It is a simple idea he says, that would cost a little, but could save a lot of anguish.

"I think it was about a $13-thousand installation cost and about $15-thousand a year to keep them running, keep the maintenance, keep the bulbs on," Macht said.

Macht notes that he's not angry with police or the city. He sees the lights as another crime fighting tool.

"I realize that's not going to solve every problem. But I just want to make sure that we can make progressive steps forward," said Macht.

The petition can be found and signed at  http://www.facebook.com/keepbroadripplesafe