District 17 Newsletter

Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 03/10/2023 04:25 PM EST

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March 10, 2023

Friday Thoughts

For my comments this week, I want to focus on the DOJ report on LMPD patterns and practices. First, I would encourage everyone to read the report here. It details the allegations against LMPD and what forms the basis for the 36 recommended reforms.

Let me first start by talking about the report itself. The allegations in the report are dramatic and often difficult to read. There are incidents detailed that most anyone would find unacceptable and in need of being addressed. The findings highlight gaps in oversight, training, facilities, resources, mental health, and more. In short, it's a systematic description of issues experienced by some residents in our community when interacting with LMPD - excessive force, incorrect procedures, or other violations of policy and the Constitution.

The report also makes clear - and the Attorney General of the United States emphasized - that the vast majority of LMPD officers are good, hardworking people who do an incredibly difficult job serving our community. It does not vilify officers or call for disbanding or defunding the police. In fact, one could argue the opposite is true. What the report highlights is a systematic failure of leadership and accountability that, over the past decade, created a culture of permissibility versus accountability. I will just add here that I have spoken with members of LMPD including leadership of the local FOP chapter, and I think everyone wants accountability when there is a bad actor. But when you look the other way, fail to correct behavior, and don't provide proper training, small problems grow into large issues. That's very much a theme of the report. To be clear, any officer who violates the law or breaks department policy should be given due process but held accountable through the appropriate investigative and disciplinary process.

I want to be very careful neither to minimize the problem (by somehow implying these were a few isolated incidents) nor suggest that large numbers of officers are not following the law. Rather, my perspective is that there was failure in the systems that should have been in place to provide proper guidance and training, failure to have proper monitoring and coaching so that front line employees received feedback on procedural issues, and a culture that failed to catch bad actors and hold them accountable. To me, that is the essence of the DOJ findings and recommendations moving forward.

That's also the silver lining. The report didn't find large numbers of 'bad officers'. It didn't recommend blowing up the department and starting fresh. Rather, it recommends practices that make sense, ensure proper monitoring and coaching is in place, provide remediation steps, and insure we are investing in our officers so they feel valued (and correspondingly value the community they serve).

A question I've already received involves the idea that we are already under a consent decree. That's not actually accurate. At present, we only have the DOJ findings. The next step is to negotiate a consent decree with the federal government that agrees to areas of improvement and appropriate monitoring to ensure compliance. This process will take several months, and the DOJ does not think we'll have a consent decree before this fall.

Once that is in place (this does not mean we won't start to make some of these investments immediately), we will have quarterly updates to a federal court by an independent monitor as to our practices. As these practices get implemented and become the new culture, those elements of the consent decree can be retired. It's important to note these aren't always linear - sometimes you come into compliance, focus your energy elsewhere, and slip back out of compliance in an area you had already achieved. In other words, it is an iterative process that will take a long time to fully implement and complete (potentially over the next decade).

Implementation of the consent decree will come with cost. We will have to pay for the independent monitor. We will need to pay for internal, civilian auditors. We will need new compliance software and reporting. But, we will also need to invest in new resources for LMPD including health and wellness programs, new facilities including a new headquarters and division offices, expansion of our diversion programs, and more. The good news is we have started on some of these investments already.

Let me close by saying that I am sure there are many perspectives on this report. Some will feel vindicated; others will feel it is unfair to police. Some will fear this will run off our already short-staffed officers; others will say more investments should be made in non-police violence prevention anyway. I think as always, it's important to remember that each of our opinions are shaped by our lived experiences and that someone else's perception is likely based on different experiences they've encountered.

Regardless of your individual perspective, I think this does represent an opportunity to do things better. Doesn't everyone want a police department where officers have a nice place to work, feel valued by the community they serve and vice versa, police with appropriate training and uses of force, have the resources they need, and are provided ongoing feedback and coaching on how to improve?

I am a strong supporter of the men and women of law enforcement. They put their lives on the line to keep our families safe and for that I am forever in their debt. As leaders, it is our job to ensure they feel supported, have the resources and training that they need, and that policies and procedures are in place that build trust with each community they serve.

I look forward to working with LMPD, community stakeholders, the Department of Justice, and the Greenberg administration to implement these reforms. 

Contact the District 17 Office

Markus Winkler
17th District Councilman
Metro Council President
502.574.1117
Contact Councilman Winkler

Kip Eatherly
Legislative Aide
502.574.3462
Contact Kip

Follow Me on Facebook

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Important Numbers

Animal Services  473-7387
Charmoli NP  574-5787
Codes & Regulations  574-2508
EACM  426-2824
Health & Wellness  574-6520
Jefferson Co. Clerk  574-5700
KY Science Center  561-6100
LG&E  589-1444
LMPD (8th Division)  574-2258
Louisville Water  583-6610
Louisville Zoo  459-2181
Mayor's Office  574-2003
Middletown Library  245-7332
MSD  540-6000
NE Regional Library  394-0379
Parks & Recreation  574-7275
Planning & Design  574-6230
Public Works  574-5810
TARC  585-1234

Mayor Greenberg's First Mayor's Night Out

Mayor Craig Greenberg will host his first Mayor's Night Out event on Wednesday, March 15. The event will be held at the Northeast Family YMCA, 9400 Mill Brook Road, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Representatives will be there from more than a dozen city departments including the Fire Department, Public Works, Public Health and Wellness, Parks & Recreation, Metro Animal Services, and the Office for Women. In addition, all four Deputy Mayors and LMPD Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel will be in attendance. I hope you can take advantage of this opportunity to meet some of metro government's leaders and department heads, ask questions, and share suggestions for improving city services. 
 

Congressman McGarvey - Contact Information and Opportunity for Federal Funding

McGarvey


Need help with a federal issue such as Medicare, passports, or Social Security? The flyer above has the contact information you need for the office of Congressman Morgan McGarvey who recently replaced John Yarmuth as representative for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District. Click here for more information on Congressman McGarvey or his office. 

In addition, Congressman McGarvey's office is now accepting applications for important community projects to submit to the House Appropriations Committee for potential funding in FY24. State and local governments and eligible non-profits only are permitted to receive funding. The deadline to submit projects for consideration is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 17. Click here for more details or to fill out an application on behalf of your organization.  

Coffee With Your Councilman - March 17

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LMPD Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel attended last month's coffee meeting at E. P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park.


I wanted to send a reminder about this month's "Coffee with your Councilman" which will be held next Friday at the Middletown Library, 12556 Shelbyville Road. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Natalie Harris, Executive Director of The Coalition for the Homeless, will be our featured guest. I hope you'll be able to join us to learn more about the Coalition's recommendations for addressing homelessness and share questions you have about that issue or any other topic related to metro government. 

WHEN: Friday, March 17 at 9 a.m. 

WHERE: Middletown Library, 12556 Shelbyville Road
 

PDS Weekly Activity Report

Each week, Metro Planning and Design Services (PDS) creates a report listing all new land use applications in Jefferson County. These requests can include changes in zoning, variances, landscape plans, conditional use permits, and more. There are no requests within the boundaries of District 17 this week, though there are two just outside our district. One involves changing the zoning from R-4 Single-Family Residential to M-3 Industrial to allow a truck parking facility on property located at 13698 Aiken Road. The other is a proposal to change the zoning from R-4 Single-Family Residential and C-1 Commercial to PEC Planned Employment Center on property located at 209 North English Station Road. This request is for a general plan as opposed to a detailed plan, so there are no other details on the request at this time.    

Storm Debris Drop-Off Sites

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Tree debris and bulky waste are both accepted at the seven drop-off sites.


Seven sites were opened earlier this week (watch this video to learn more) for residents to drop off debris due to last week's storm. Tree debris and bulky waste items are both accepted but need to be separated for easy off-loading. Household hazardous waste will not be accepted. The sites, for Jefferson County residents only, are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. The sites are as follows:

  • Shawnee Park, 4501 West Broadway
  • Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)
  • Near Fairdale Elementary, 10618 West Manslick Road
  • Fern Creek Park, 8703 Ferndale Road
  • Smith Creek Compost Facility, 13312 Aiken Road (tree debris only at this site)
  • Public Works Yard, 595 North Hubbards Lane
  • Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue

While these locations are still currently accepting debris, this service will likely stop within the next few days. Follow @LouPubWorks on Facebook and Twitter for the most current information. 
 

Brownsboro Road/Springcrest Drive Project

Many of you who live in the area are familiar with a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) project to reconstruct the intersection of Brownsboro Road and Springcrest Drive to include the addition of a turn lane. Some adjustments will also be made to existing infrastructure to accommodate the new turn lane.

The project was put out for bid last month and a contract was awarded earlier this week. KYTC is working on providing a website with information specific to this project such as the scope, contact information for the project manager, and a timeline for completion. When ready, the information will be available in the "Featured Projects" section here. Of course, we'll keep checking with KYTC and let you know updates as soon as we get them. 
   

TARC Requesting Public Comment on Proposed Changes

TARC

Route 74 is one of the routes proposed to change effective August 6.


TARC is asking for public comment on changes being proposed to ten current routes. Two public meetings have been scheduled for this purpose: Tuesday, March 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Southwest Public Library (9725 Dixie Highway) and Wednesday, March 22 from 4-6 p.m. at Union Station (1000 W. Broadway). Those interested can also submit comments to PublicComment@ridetarc.org. Comments will be accepted through April 4.

The changes, which would go into effect August 6, 2023, impact the routes below:

  • Route 4 (Fourth Street)
  • Route 6 (Sixth Street)
  • Route 10 (Dixie Rapid)
  • Route 18 (Dixie Highway)
  • Route 72 (Clarksville)
  • Route 74 (Chamberlain Lane – River Ridge)
  • Route 17X (Bardstown Road Express)
  • Route 31X (Middletown Express)
  • Route 40X (Jeffersontown Express)
  • Route 61X (Plainview Express)

Click here to read a description and view maps of the suggested changes. 

Café LOUIE - Tomorrow

Café LOUIE

Solar Over Louisville Program

Residents can now sign up for discounted rates for solar installation through the Solar Over Louisville campaign. The two companies named as the program's chosen installers will offer discounts from 15-23% depending on the size of the installation. Last year, this campaign resulted in 92 signed contracts, making it the third largest solarize campaign in the United States. Residential and non-residential (small businesses, non-profits, places of worship, etc.) applicants are welcome to apply. Click here to sign up or for more information. The application deadline is June 30, 2023. 

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