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We recently received a report from LMPD regarding the work officers are doing to address pedestrian safety and panhandling in our neighborhoods.
New rules were passed last year to make sure the major roadways of our city are safe for pedestrians and motorists. While panhandling is one way the new ordinance could be violated, anyone approaching a car in a major roadway (called an arterial) is subject to a citation and fine.
The report noted some interesting findings we want to share with you.
- A Roughly 50/50 split between those who wave signs close to encampments and panhandlers who commute into the 6th Division from other parts of Louisville Metro
- Each panhandler was suffering from some drug addition
- Every person LMPD approached was offered formal assistance and all declined the offers for that help.
- Several were acutely aware of the limits imposed by the ordinance and the "soft spots" that might make enforcement more challenging.
What is clear from the report is that LMPD is working to reduce the unsafe incidents of people approaching vehicles in the roadways at dangerous intersections in our community. They have a keen eye for new encampments and are implementing strategies to keep everyone safe.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health Wellness is working with area physicians, hospitals and government agencies to guard against and prevent the potential spread of the 2019 novel corona virus. So far, there have been no confirmed cases or suspected cases in Louisville.
Our team, led by our medical director, Dr. Lori Caloia, is working closely with our partners at the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to stay up to date on the novel corona virus. We maintain detailed plans on how to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the 2018 hepatitis A outbreak, as well as other community public health emergencies.
While there are no cases of novel corona virus in Jefferson County or Kentucky, there have been more than 11,000 cases of the flu statewide, almost 6,000 here with 5 deaths. There have been more than 15 million cases of flu nationwide. To date only 11 cases of novel corona virus have been confirmed in the US.
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