Government

6 questions with Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Director of Safety + Security Kim Evans

Presented by an INDYtoday partner

View of the Capitol down a long brick wall-lined street.

Did you know Downtown Indianapolis is one of the safest areas of the city? | Photo provided by Downtown Indy, Inc.

This piece is part of our INDYtoday Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them here.

With Hoosiers preparing to head downtown for fun holiday events like Circle of Lights, Downtown Indy, Inc. is ensuring all locals can enjoy the festivities while staying safe.

We asked Kim Evans, Director of Safety and Security with Downtown Indy, Inc., to give us the details on what safety measures have been added.

Q. What do you want Hoosiers to know about Downtown Indy?

A: We want to remind folks that downtown is a thriving place to work, play, eat, shop, visit, and enjoy what is known as the safest district in the county according to IMPD. Downtown Indy, Inc., along with local community leaders, have been hard at work to ensure residents, visitors, and the downtown workforce feel safe as they rediscover Downtown Indianapolis.

Children play cornhole on a green lawn in downtown Indianapolis, IN. — Downtown Indy, Inc. is committed to maintaining its status as a vibrant and safe place to be.

Q: Can you tell us how safety is being addressed?

A: Beyond the coverage already provided by IMPD, Downtown Indy, Inc. funds 28 off-duty police officers who patrol on foot and bicycle throughout the Mile Square.

In addition, we employ Safety Ambassadors, civilians who work alongside our officers. The Safety Ambassadors provide positive, street level engagement, wayfinding, and serve as an extra set of eyes and ears to our officers.

Downtown Indy, Inc. partnered and continues to promote IMPD BLink camera technology — which uses technology to link personal and business security cameras with IMPD to enhance public safety.

IMPD also has 22 LPR (License Plate Reader) cameras downtown. LPR technology serves as digital witnesses capturing vehicle plates that pass by them and is strategically placed in downtown hot spots.*

4 MORE QUESTIONS

This content was created in partnership with Downtown Indy, Inc. and written by Michaela Leung.*

What upcoming downtown event are you most looking forward to?

A. Circle of Lights
B. Athenaeum’s Christkindlmarkt
C. Christmas at the Zoo
D. Other

LET US KNOW

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

P30 Grand Opening | Fri., Oct. 28 | 5:30-8 p.m. | 3039 N. Post Rd., Indianapolis | Free | Join this new co-working space + community hub in celebrating its grand opening.
Amanda Shires | Fri., Oct. 28 | 8 p.m. | Hi-Fi, 1043 Virginia Ave. #4, Indianapolis | $26.00 | See this Grammy and Americana-award-winning singer/songwriter + virtuoso violinist take the stage with Honey Harper.

Saturday

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) | Sat., Oct. 29 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | An action-packed day of performances, art-making activities, a mercado (marketplace) + Catrinas (elaborately dressed models).

Sunday

Halloween Bash | Sun., Oct. 30 | 4-8 p.m. | The Garage Food Hall, 906 Carrollton Ave. | Free | Enjoy an evening for the whole family with personalized candy buckets to trick-or-treat among vendors in the food hall, a costume contest for the kids, and a movie screening.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders | Sun., Oct. 30 | 4:25 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $37-$236 | Catch the Commanders take on the Colts with Sam Ehlinger as starting quarterback.

Monday

Inferno Pilates | Mon., Oct. 31 | 6:15-7:15 p.m. | Elite Training & Sports Performance, 10605 Deme Dr., Ste. E, Indianapolis | Free | Join Coach Sylvia B. in a free class of Inferno Pilates without the heat — just bring your mat and a towel.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

64º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Traffic

Westsiders, Indy DPW announced the 16th Street bridge over Little Eagle Creek is now fully open to traffic. The $2.15 million project that has been under partial closure since May replaced the more than 70-year-old bridge structure, widened the sidewalk, and resurfaced travel lanes. 🚧

Open

Rail — a Westfield restaurant known for its big red barn — closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, but is making a comeback with a new location. The breakfast and brunch restaurant officially opened at the corner of SR 32 + Grassy Branch Rd. Browse open positions. 🍳
Good news for butterburger lovers. Culver’s opened a Glendale store at 6111 Keystone Ave. 🍔 (Broad Ripple Random Ripplings)

Edu

Eli Lilly and Co. plans to give Purdue University $92.5 million for research on drug development + undergraduate scholarships for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The scholarship program will award full tuition to 75-100 students each year for 10 years, with the first scholarships offered for fall 2023. 💰 (IBJ)

Award

And the best collegiate event of 2022 goes to... the city of Indianapolis is celebrating another award for its success in hosting large-scale events. SportsTravel Magazine recognized Indy for hosting the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship. It was the first time the game was held in a cold-weather city + Indy showed up and showed out. 🏈 (WRTV)

Try This

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is going on a “Hallo-weenie” tour across central Indiana this weekend. The 27-ft-long hot dog on wheels will be making several stops today through Sun., Oct. 30. See the list of times and locations. 🌭 (WISH)

Watch

A documentary about Indianapolis jazz legend Wes Montgomery is on schedule for a February 2023 release. The documentary draws from 50+ hours of interviews and includes home movie footage captured by Wes. The filmmaker started a crowdfunding campaign in hopes of raising $35,000 to secure the music rights to complete the film. 🎶 (IndyStar)

Plan Ahead

The countdown is on. Colder weather is approaching, which means farmers markets are moving indoors. We’re less than 10 days away from the start of Indy Winter Farmers Market by Growing Places Indy. You’ll catch this market inside The Amp at 16 Tech every Saturday in November-April from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 🥕

DYK

Did you know we want to share your Black Friday deals with our INDYtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.

Drink

Getting groceries delivered is great, but getting your favorite beer, wine, and liquor delivered is even better. With Drizly, you can order your go-to libations as well as mixers, party supplies, and snacks + they’ll be delivered to your door in under 60 minutes. Order now. 🥂*

The Buy

Real talk: You’re an adult, and it’s time to say goodbye to those sad, flat pillows and invest in bedding that supports your neck and back. Marlow designed a pillow specifically for side sleepers with customizable firmness, three angles to support your neck, and cooling technology — code 6AM saves you 10%, plus buy-more, save-more discounts up to 40%. ☁️ *

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Have a spooktacular time 🎃

Happy haunts await at Irvington’s annual Halloween Festival

INDYtoday: INDY_pink monsters Irvington Halloween Festival_OCT24

Want to see unique costumes that will blow your mind? Head to the Halloween Street Fair. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Country Living named it one of the 30 best Halloween festivals in the country, and it just so happens to be on the near east side of Indianapolis.

The 76th annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival is one of the largest + longest-running Halloween festivals nationwide and it returns to the neighborhood tomorrow, Sat., Oct. 29.

Named after Washington Irving — author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” — it makes sense that Irvington would maintain such terrifying traditions.

Saturday’s schedule of events:

9:30 a.m. — Vampire Run begins
10 a.m. — Street Fair begins
11:30 a.m. — Little Bat Dash begins
12:30-2 p.m. — Costume Contest for kids + teens
1 p.m. — Pumpkin Carving Contest
2 p.m. — Costume Contest for adults
2:45 p.m. — Costume Contest for groups
3 p.m. — Canine Costume Contest
4 p.m. — Parade
4:30 p.m. — Contest award winners announced from Main Stage

Pro tip: Washington Street will be shut down for several hours on Saturday, so if you’re passing through, make sure to reroute around the festivities.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Nicole.

Editor’s pick: City Editor Anna’s and my favorite Halloween costumes of all time were a Southside Serpent and static cling. Can you guess witch one dressed up as which? What’s your Halloween costume this year? Let us know. 👻

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read up on 15 local authors.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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