Message from Major Wampler

 

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!  The officers of the 8^th Division and countless volunteers have been busy the past couple of weeks helping spread the holiday spirit.  We had a great time shopping at Meijer for over 40 children from two 8^th Division elementary schools.  We were able to purchase much needed clothes and some toys to help make their Christmas special.  The children joined us for a memorable field trip to have a holiday party with several officers and volunteers.  During the party Santa stopped by to help us give every child their very own bag of gifts to unwrap!

8^th Division Holiday Shopping Facebook Post

The 8^th Division also visited the St. Mary's Center to have an early Christmas lunch with everyone there.  We were lucky to have Santa join us again for lunch and games with the kind people at the St. Mary's Center.  This is an annual event we get to be a part of and is always very special to everyone involved.  

St. Mary's Center Christmas Party Facebook Post

Louisville native Mr. Grouchy stopped by the 8^th Division to spread holiday joy and help us nab a thief!  We would like to send a big THANK YOU to Mr. Grouchy for helping us keep Louisville safe and spread the word about how to prevent car break-ins.  Click the below links to see a short reel and PSA starring Mr. Grouchy and some of Louisville's finest from LMPD's 8^th Division.

Mr. Grouchy & LMPD Facebook Reel

 

Mr. Grouchy & LMPD Theft from Auto PSA

November 2023

8^th Division

Officers of the Month

Officer Matthew Marcum

Officer Anthony Bell

Officer Matthew Marcum and Officer Anthony Bell are the 8^th Division Officers of the Month for November.  This recognition was earned due to their actions while responding to a call for a suicidal subject armed with a handgun.  When the officers arrived on scene they did a great job of communicating with the subjects family who called gaining valuable information and ensuring they were moved to a safe location.  The officers began communicating with the subject and between the two of them used their strong communication skills to build a rapport with the subject.  Their patience and compassion over the next hour and half paid off resulting in the subject putting down the gun and getting much needed care.  The actions of Officer Marcum and Officer Bell brought this situation to a successful resolution.  Please help me congratulate them on a job well done and being named the November 8^th Division Officers of the Month. 

8^th Division Community Events

Coffee with a Cop   Do you have questions, concerns, or comments?  Come out and meet officers who work in your neighborhood for coffee and conversation.  Valuable crime prevention information will also be provided.

Cocoa with a Cop   Middletown Kroger 12501 Shelbyville Road 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday 1/17/2024

 

Officers will be conducting "Santa Stops" at local Krogers handing out gift cards to unsuspecting shoppers during the holiday season.

We will not ask you for money over the phone!

We want to make everyone is aware of a recent scam.

Here's how the scam plays out:

1. The victim receives a call from a "professional-sounding" person who identifies themselves as law enforcement and gives actual names of current or former police officers.
2. The scammer gives the victim basic details indicating they know the individual and informs them they have failure to appear/contempt warrants.
3. The phone number is usually spoofed and shows it's from a local police division or department. After some convoluted steps, the scammer offers for the victim to pay for the warrants through Venmo,  PayPal, or another electronic way.

We do not know of this being successful for the scammer yet, but it is a concern that public trust is being exploited and the names of LMPD officers are being used.
We polled other police departments nationally and have been told this is a scam occurring in other cities around the country. These crafty scammers can be very hard to catch, so we must get the word out.

You can donate to our Louisville Metro Police Foundation if you want to support your police department at saferlouisville.org

8^th Division crime over the past month has continued in a downward trend when compared to the previous year.   Most of the incidents that are not domestic violence related were property crimes. 

There have been three armed robbery incidents in December which were carjackings with juvenile suspects.  One of the incidents occurred at an apartment complex in the Oxmoor area. This incident occurred in the beginning of December.

The other two incidents occurred the night of Wednesday December 13^th in a neighborhood off Shelbyville Road in eastern Jefferson County.  The night of these incidents there were multiple armed carjackings occurring across the city in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Divisions. Several juvenile suspects were apprehended after the stolen vehicle they were driving crashed into a church at South 26^th Street and Oak Street. In addition to apprehending multiple suspects, several stolen vehicles were recovered throughout the evening from the incidents.  

To help protect yourself from these crimes ensure you are paying attention to your surroundings by limiting distractions such as cellphones.  If you notice someone approaching your vehicle, try to drive away.  It is a good practice to leave yourself enough room in traffic to maneuver your vehicle around others if needed.  Some of the incidents involved the suspects trying to box in the victim's vehicle with other stolen vehicles.  Remember property is replaceable and not worth injury or your life.  Be a good witness by noting detailed clothing and physical descriptions of the suspects for police.  It is also good practice to keep your cell phone and key fobs in your pockets and not loose in your vehicle, so you have them if needed.

 

3 - Robbery Incidents

• 1 - Attempted carjacking in residential area.  The victim drove away fleeing the armed suspects who were trying to box the victim's vehicle in.
• 1 - Armed carjacking occurring immediately after the above attempt in the same neighborhood.
• 1 - Armed carjacking in an apartment complex taking the victim's vehicle.

10 - Burglary Incidents

• 7 of Residences

  • 4 -  were domestic violence related
  • 2 - forced entry by unknown suspect
  • 1 - attempt without entry by breaking window

• 2 of Businesses

  • 1 - forced entry into the location
  • 1 - attempt without entry by tampering with door

• 1 of a Garage

  • 1 - of an open garage where suspects took property out of unlocked vehicle

15 - Auto Theft Incidents

• 9 - Kia/Hyundai related

  • 8 - completed forced entry thefts all at apartment complexes
  • 1 - attempted theft of unlocked vehicle in driveway of residence 

• 6 - Involving other vehicle makes

  • 2 - unlocked vehicles with the keys inside
  • 3 - locked and taken by unknown means
  • 1 - vehicle was not stolen victim forgot where it was parked

• Locations of the 15 incidents

  • 10- apartment complexes
  • 2 - residential neighborhoods
  • 3 - business parking lots

 

LMPD Kia PSA

 

NHTSA Kia and Hyundai Service Campaign to Prevent Theft

18 - Theft from Motor Vehicle

• 11 at Apartment Complexes

  • 5 - unlocked 
  • 4 - forced entry by breaking window
  • 1 - forced entry into trailer
  • 1 - theft from truck bed

• 4 at Residential Neighborhoods

  • 4 - unlocked

• 3 at Businesses

  • 2 - theft from truck bed
  • 1 - forced entry by breaking window

We need your help to prevent these types of crimes.  Reduce your chances of being a victim by locking your vehicles.  Do not leave bags or valuable items visible to thieves who may be looking into your vehicle in search of something to steal.  Mr. Grouchy likely will not be able to catch someone breaking into your car so as Lt. Suttles reminded us, "lock your car and put your junk in your trunk".

Mr. Grouchy & LMPD Theft from Auto PSA

This below chart shows the number of incidents reported for the past 4 weeks in the 8^th Division.

• Week 0 - 12/11/23 - 12/17/23
• Week 1 - 12/04/23 - 12/10/23
• Week 2 - 11/27/23 - 12/03/23
• Week 3 - 11/20/23 - 11/26/23

The 28 Day chart compares the same time of 2022 and 2023.

The YTD chart compares year to date for 2022 and 2023.

The Louisville Metro Police Foundation is dedicated to improving the Greater Louisville community for everyone and making our city a safer place to live, work and visit. Let us not forget, we are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, friends and Louisvillians. Together, we are who make up our Louisville community. Founded in 2005, the Louisville Metro Police Foundation is dedicated to improving the Greater Louisville community and making our city a safer place to live, work and visit by supporting the men and women of the Louisville Metro Police Department. The Foundation provides the LMPD much-needed financial resources beyond what the Police Department’s Louisville Metro Government budget can fund, focusing on three key areas: programs, equipment and training, and Officers in Distress. https://saferlouisville.org

Who in the Lou am I?

LMPD has launched a new online portal called "Who in the Lou am I?". This online portal features photos of suspects from current LMPD cases. You can click on any of the photos and submit an anonymous tip to LMPD if you are able to identify the suspect. The link below will take you to the new online portal.

Who in the Lou am I?

The Louisville Metro Police Department is now on Nextdoor to engage with residents of Metro Louisville. Detective Sergeant Roderick Beasley is active on the platform representing the 8^th Division. He is sharing information with residents of the 8^th Division about current crime trends, crime tips, and community events for your neighborhoods. To join us on Nextdoor use the link below.

Link to LMPD on nextdoor

LMPD Public Policy Review

We need your help and input.  LMPD is seeking feedback from the public regarding our policies.  A section of the LMPD website is dedicated for members of the public to have input on policy revisions.  Click the link below to be a part of the policy review process.

LMPD Public Review of Policy

LMPD IS LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES

WHO WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

LMPDJobs.com

www.louisville-police.org

CRIME TIPS

574-LMPD

Anonymous Tip Line (5673)

Submit Crime Tips Online

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Please continue to share this newsletter with your neighbors and if there is any additional info you would like to see in the newsletter send us an email with your suggestion.

Major Eric Wampler

Lt. Larry Suttles  Lt. William Vogt  Lt. Brian Roney

Louisville Metro Police Department:  8^th Division

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