IMPD substation opens in Shadeland Station; donations sought via GoFundMe

Eagle Nest residents,

In case you haven’t heard the great news, the new IMPD Substation is now open in Shadeland Station Shopping Center, at 75th Street and North Shadeland Avenue. The effort, led by the North Shadeland Alliance, will provide an increased police presence in our area and help strengthen community ties.

The North Shadeland Alliance is a partner of the nonprofit BRAG (Binford Redevelopment and Growth Inc.), which is dedicated to improving the quality of life and economic activity in our area.

More than $5,300 of the initial $10,000 startup goal has been raised for supplies, furniture, cleaning services and maintenance, and signage on the building and street. Organizers of the North Shadeland Alliance continue to seek local resident and corporate support to cover the substation’s annual operating costs, estimated to be about $7,000.

To contribute, a GoFundMe page has been set up for donations: https://www.gofundme.com/f/impd-substation-shadeland-avenue

If you can’t afford a monetary donation, substation organizers welcome donated supplies, too. Click here for a list of needs and how to make pickup arrangements.

The Eagle Nest Board supports the substation effort, of course, because it aligns perfectly with our expanding Crime Watch efforts. We are exploring ways our association can provide additional support, so if you want to help please contact Eagle Nest Crime Watch Coordinator Carolyn Goldenetz at goldenetz@gmail.com. We also encourage you to share this information with your neighbors and friends to maximize support for this important community initiative.

A few Q&As provided by the North Shadeland Alliance:

Question: What is a substation?
Answer: It’s where police officers can retreat to complete paperwork, use the restroom, refuel with a snack and meet with other officers. Substations are not open to the public and do not serve as a “police station” where people can file reports or conduct other police business.

Q: Why do we want a substation?
A: Wherever they are located, substations create a police presence with officers dropping in as needed across all three shifts. A substation deepens the connection of the police to the community it serves and provides an opportunity for citizens to see police officers on a regular basis — especially in a community like ours that lacks public spaces for incidental interactions. The substation also will serve as a spot for Crime Watch groups to gather, for neighborhood leaders to meet with police and or other community-based interactions on a scheduled basis.

There is currently a substation located at the ministry center at Castleton United Methodist Church. That substation will remain open.

Q: What will the space include?
A: Plans include furnishing the space with a large table capable of seating 8-10 people for meetings, a desk for officers, chairs, a kitchenette complete with a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. The property owner is providing Wi-Fi so officers can complete reports. The space also will include visible signage that identifies it as a police-occupied space to discourage area crime. This includes signage on the windows and a permanent exterior sign on the building.

Q: Who will pay for the substation?
A: The substation is the result of a partnership between Shadeland Station property owner Time Equities Investments, property management and leasing firm Cushman Wakefield, IMPD, community umbrella organization BRAG and the North Shadeland Alliance.

Have more questions? Contact the North Shadeland Alliance at info@northshadeland.com or through the group’s Facebook page.

Scott Thien
Eagle Nest Board President