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I want to make it clear that I am opposed to the latest decision by Mayor Fischer to impose a policy that values de-escalation over public safety. Recently, we saw the streets of downtown overtaken by protesters who blocked the streets, surrounded cars and trucks and even tossed a brick at a local news vehicle, breaking the windshield. The fact that our officers have been prevented by this administration from intervening when our laws are openly disregarded is not acceptable. I have and will continue to voice my opposition to having our public safety officials stand down while people are terrorized, or property is needlessly damaged.
I understand the calls for justice and reform, but when some seek to undermine peaceful calls for reform with actions meant to hurt people or damage property, we must stand together to call for its end. I spoke with Mayor Fischer on a conference call this afternoon and called on him to stop turning a blind eye to the groups of people who have been blatantly breaking the law and allow our law enforcement officers to do their jobs and protect the citizens of this community. It is not acceptable for the Mayor to give a “stand down” order while protesters are blocking public streets,obstructing traffic and affecting commerce.
Public safety is the number one responsibility of local government and I will continue to advocate for upholding our laws and protecting all our residents.
Marilyn Parker
There is and has been a need for reform at the Louisville Metro Police Department. That need for reform is something that I supported more than two years ago when I and a bi-partisan group of Metro Councilmembers called for the replacement of the Police Chief as well as full transparency on issues such as the Explorer Program and revelations related to overtime abuse. The fact that the leadership in this administration have continually refused to acknowledge these problems has reached a boiling point following the tragic death of Ms. Breonna Taylor. Instead of being forthright and transparent, the administration refused to release documents and has further fueled mistrust between the police and the people they have been sworn to serve.
Despite the problems witnessed in the death of Ms.Taylor, the poor judgement of an officer cannot and should not become an indictment of the more than 1,100 sworn police officers who have been subjected to a work environment where they have been verbally and even physically assaulted with little to no support from the Mayor. Over the past month, I and my Metro Council Colleagues have sought the release of evidence, the conclusion of the internal investigation into the death of Ms. Taylor as well as the end of no-knock search warrants. Over the past month we have had conversations about ways we can improve training, increase understanding and better support those persons who have been hurt by systematic racism. I want to listen, I want to help craft solutions, but I will not turn my back on the men and women of the Louisville Metro Police Department who go out every day and protect our community.
I have received thousands of calls from people both here in Louisville as well as out of town. I have done my best to respond to these calls, letters and e-mails and I have tried to make my position on these matters clear. I will not support or vote for a budget that defunds the Louisville Metro Police Department and the many dedicated officers who have devoted their lives to public service.
During my time on the Louisville Metro Council I have worked hard to give the police the resources they need. I will not turn my back on those needs today. Now more than ever, our officers as well as other public safety officials at Metro Corrections, Fire and EMS need to hear from our citizens that they appreciate the hard work they do, and that they have our support.
A few Officers within the LMPD have failed our city and the people they swore to protect. Their actions have brought pain to individual families as well as our entire community. The department needs new leadership, reform, additional training and resources not divestment. The department also needs our support. It needs our investment through more resources for future recruit classes as well as our current officers. It needs transparency from the top-down and it needs to be part of the solution. It is possible to condemn the wrongful actions of a few, while steadfastly supporting the many hardworking men and women of our police department.
I thank you for your time reading this letter and remain committed to listening and working towards bi-partisan solutions to the issues that face our city.
Marilyn Parker
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