Message from Major Wampler

 

Happy New Year!  As we welcome in the new year, I would like to share some 8^th Division year-end statistics from 2023 and our goals for 2024.  

The 8^th Division experienced double digit decline in several categories of crime.  Violent crime in the division reduced by over 30%.  The below graph compares 1/1/2022 thru 12/6/2022 and 1/1/2023 thru 12/6/2023 (December 2023 numbers are currently being finalized).  We did see an increase in motor vehicle thefts which is directly associated to the increase in Kia/Hyundai vehicle thefts nationwide.  The increase was 16% which is still vastly lower than many other areas locally.  

These decreases in crime were achieved due to several factors.  The 8^th Division has focused on improving internal and external communication.  The detective's office has continually shared information with beat officers and neighboring small cities to identify suspects and share identified patterns.  The monthly newsletters, crime prevention tips, and community meetings have been utilized to help our community members know what the current crime trends are and share prevention techniques.  Detective Sergeant Beasley's presence on the Nextdoor social media platform has been a tremendous tool for us to reach residents in the 8^th Division and for them to engage with us.

The 8^th Division's 2024 goals are to continue our decline in crime which is in line with the goal Chief Gwinn-Villaroel has set for LMPD.  We are also looking forward to increasing our community engagement.  In 2023 we grew our annual National Night Out event to its largest size yet adding a live band, multiple community partners, and law enforcement partners.  Plans are already in motion to continue the growth for this year's event.  We continue to strive for the 8^th Division's National Night Out to be the largest and most well attended in the city. 

I'm excited to share several other community engagement events for 2024.  The 8^th Division will have our inaugural Easter Egg Hunt at Tom Sawyer Park in March. We are also continuing the Meet Your Beat Officer Events.  We plan to hold two of these events for the 8^th Division with the first one being at the end of February.  Details for opportunities to meet your 8^th Division officers will be shared throughout the year. 

McDonalds on Westport Road hosted Coffee with a Cop in December.  These are great events for us to connect with our community and answer any questions you may have.  The below picture is from December's event.

December 2023

Officer of the Month

Officer David Gray

Officer David Gray is the 8th Division December 2023 officer of the month.  Officer Gray retired from LMPD as a Lieutenant and has returned as a rehire with over 27 years of law enforcement experience.  Officer Gray is a wealth of knowledge and a mentor to the late watch officers he is currently working with.   Officer Gray was nominated and received this award for his actions on 12/14/2023 when there was a spree of car jackings across the city. Officer Gray was patrolling his beat when a call for an attempted carjacking with suspect vehicle descriptions was dispatched. While responding to this call, another call was received for a completed carjacking in the same area with suspects armed with handguns. Officer Gray located one of the suspect vehicles as it was fleeing the scene. He initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle which turned out to be stolen. After a short pursuit the suspect's vehicle lost control, wrecking off the roadway. Officer Gray's actions undoubtedly helped bring an end to the crime spree these suspects were inflicting across Louisville Metro.  He worked with other 8th Division officers locating a second stolen vehicle which was recovered near the initial carjacking location. Officer Gray consistently patrols his assigned area and works diligently to keep the 8th division safe while being a great example to the officers he works with.  Please help me congratulate Officer Gray and thank him for his dedication to the residents of Louisville Metro.

Criminal incidents over the previous 4 reporting weeks are consistent with the downward trend we experienced throughout a majority of 2023.  

The below chart indicates the number of reported incidents for the previous 4 weeks in the 8^th Division.

• Week 0 - 01/15/2024 - 01/22/2024
• Week 1 - 01/08/2024 - 01/14/2024
• Week 2 - 01/01/2024 - 01/07/2024
• Week 3 - 12/25/2023 - 12/31/2023

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

The YTD chart compares year to date for 2023 and 2024.

1 - Robbery Incident

• The robbery incident involved a suspect who was shoplifting from a liquor store and caused injury to an employee during the theft.

6 - Burglary Incidents

• 3 of Residences

  • 1 - Rear window broken sounding an alarm.  Entry was not made to residence.
  • 1 - Entry of an open detached garage and items stolen.
  • 1 - An unknown person entered victims home and was found asleep.  Suspect was arrested.

• 3 of Businesses

  • 1 - Suspect entered storage area and took items
  • 1 - Window broken and cash taken from register
  • 1 - materials stolen from construction site

12 - Auto Theft Incidents

• 7 - Kia/Hyundai related

  • 6 - attempted thefts with damaged steering columns.  4 of these occurred in apartment complexes and 2 in residential neighborhoods.
  • 1 - completed forced entry theft in apartment complex

• 5 - Involving other vehicle makes

  • 2 - vehicle taken by known person with keys
  • 1 - motorcycle stolen without keys
  • 1 - attempt by damaging steering column
  • 1 - wrecked vehicle taken from the interstate

LMPD Kia/Hyundai PSA

 

NHTSA Kia and Hyundai Service Campaign to Prevent Theft

12 - Theft from Vehicle Incidents

• 6 at Apartment Complexes

  • 3 - unknown means with no damage and guns taken
  • 2 - locked with forced entry
  • 1 - unlocked

• 2 at Hotels

  • 2 - locked with forced entry
  • 1 - unlocked

• 2 at Schools

  • both of unlocked vehicles

• 1 at a Park

  • locked with forced entry

 

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.

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

Thank you for Subscribing

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

Click Here to Subscribe to the 8^th Division E-Newsletter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.