 No-knock search warrants have been banned in Louisville after a unanimous vote of the Metro Council on Thursday night.
The new ordinance is called Breonna's Law, named after 26-year-old Breonna Taylor, an unarmed black woman who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police in her apartment in the early morning hours of March 13.
"All Breonna wanted to do was save lives," Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, told the council before the vote. "So it's important this law passes, because with that, she'll get to continue to do that, even in her death."
Councilwoman Jessica Green, D-1st District, said this was the most important legislation she's worked on yet.
"We are committed to making sure that she lives on forever," Green said. The ordinance also requires that all officers serving warrants wear body cameras. Officers must activate cameras at least five minutes before the execution begins, and they may not be turned off until at least five minutes after it has concluded.
In presenting Taylor's mother with a plaque, Metro Council President David James declared Thursday as "Breonna's Law Day," so that "her name will never be forgotten."
The bill's two original sponsors — Green and Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, D-4th District — first presented their legislation about two weeks ago as a compromise of sorts: Without the support to outright ban the practice, this would at least provide some layer of scrutiny and restrictions.
With all that is happening in our city at this time the District Six Office phone lines are extremely busy and our voicemail is constantly full. I encourage you to please reach out via email because your concerns are important to us and the residents of District Six are my priority. Phone lines are still open but to serve you best please try email. Thank you!
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