In light of recent gun violence incidents within the city, Mayor Will Hill and the Louisville Board of Aldermen, took up the matter at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 3, and discussed measures that have been taken, are being taken, and can be taken to deal with the violence.
Recently, a number of arrests have been made and a large number of firearms have been confiscated, and those arrested have had their bonds revoked, keeping them in jail, which has helped to curb the incidents.
Hill stated that the City is working with local, area, state and Federal authorities to help bring an end to the violence. He added that City leaders need to support local law enforcement and supporting agencies in every way possible, and continue to adequately staff and equip Louisville Police Dept.
In a document present to the Board, Hill said, "As a matter of civic responsibility and public safety for all citizens, it is my desire to be authorized by the Board of Aldermen to issue a State of Emergency within the City of Louisville upon request from the Louisville Police Department." The State of Emergency would impose a 10 p.m. curfew within the city for a designated period of time, however at the time of this reporting there is no curfew in place.
Some of the steps that have been taken or are being taken are:
•Purchased surveillance cameras and in use.
•Purchased and implemented the new body camera systems.
•Hiring and continuing to provide training to the officers.
•Working with outside agencies to include federal, state, and other local agencies.
•Working with a private company to improve security measures at West Side Apartments (fencing, gates, cameras, etc.).
•Housing Authority is cooperating and investing.
•Public relations: two community meetings have been held plus ongoing conversations with organizations to discuss the importance of “community policing” (Community policing = the community partnering with the police).
•Planning the introduction of "community policing” to the citizens through a door to door campaign. Inform and empower the citizens to become part of the solution. See something, say something campaign which will involve more than just calling 911 (text, email, data sharing, exploring all possibilities, etc.).
•Over the past week, eight arrests have been made associated with gun violence/shots fired in the city and the investigation continues. Many firearms have been confiscated over the past months.
•Reportedly, an isolated gun violence incident on 4/29 was met with immediate response and suspect apprehended within hours.
•Mayor met with LPD Administration (Chief, Asst Chief, Investigations) to discuss needs or concerns; topics of discussion included but not limited to additional personnel for the night shifts, informants, security personnel, and curfew.
Items for consideration included:
•Increase patrol numbers and authorize approved overtime for current hired law enforcement (primarily from dusk until dawn).
•More aggressively hire full-time and/or part-time law enforcement officers that may have the ability to work on a part-time basis.
•Authorize the City to hire part-time or temporary personnel under "contract for services” as recommended by the LPD. This practice is only for the interim or temporary status to provide adequate patrol and to establish law & order in the City of Louisville.
•Due to the LPD being stretched thin in patrol, authorize the City of Louisville to contract with persons for the sole purpose of monitoring areas as designated security in a designated time or location. (These individuals would not have any police power and should be discouraged from any confrontation with any person that may have violated the law.) Sole responsibility should be to keep a watch in the area, document activity observed, and provide information to the LPD. Example: Parks & Recreation.
•Launch the community policing campaign, garner community support and endorsements from citizenry, businesses, organization, churches, etc.
•Utilize and implement more technology to assist in community policing. This includes more/better utilization of the City's application. Text, email, or phone tips. Invest and install more surveillance cameras.
•Re-authorize the Mayor to impose a 10:00 p.m. curfew in the City of Louisville upon a recommendation by LPD Administration, further this order would only be issued in 14 day increments and as needed.
•Continue working with other agencies for additional patrol detail and case work.
•Continue working with the schools for security and information sharing. The Mayor and Aldermen call upon all citizens to participate and be a part of the solution. Neighbors becoming neighbors again, and neighborhoods becoming neighborhoods again with one common goal.
