Message from Major Wampler

 

We had a successful Derby festival marking the 150^th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby and are now in “full swing” of the PGA Championship at Valhalla. I am sure you have noticed the extra officers who are detailed to the area to assist when traffic exceeds the capabilities of the roadways and traffic lights. As we approach the end of the PGA Championship much higher volumes of traffic are expected. If you routinely travel on Shelbyville Road near Valhalla, please consider an alternate route to your destination. There is more information about the PGA Championship traffic plan in the newsletter below.

Over the next couple weeks many local schools will start summer break. With the longer daylight hours and children out of school please be cautious as you are traveling throughout the community. I would also like to remind everyone to be vigilant, lock the doors to your vehicles, and do not leave keys in your vehicles. In the 8^th Division most car break-ins involve unlocked vehicles.  Stolen cars are often unlocked with keys left in them. Additionally closing your garage doors can reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim. There have been several thefts from open garages to include stolen vehicles which were unlocked with the keys in them.

Making the following steps routine will greatly reduce your chances of being victimized.

• REMOVE YOUR KEYS
• LOCK YOUR DOORS
• CLOSE GARAGES

The 8^th Division had several community events over the past month. There are several more planned.  The below pictures are from our recent events.  There is a section of the newsletter below which lists upcoming events.  We invite you to attend to ask questions or just meet some of the officers from the 8^th Division.

2024 PGA Championship

The 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in the 8^th Division is nearing completion. The practice rounds began Monday, May 13^th and the championship is planned to conclude on Sunday, May 19^th. Traffic volume is still expected to increase during the event until the completion of the championship. There are several changes to traffic flow on Shelbyville Road to include designated travel lanes and speed limit reductions. Please be patient as you are traveling near the event area and if possible, consider an alternate route. With your help we can represent Louisville as the great city it is and keep all our residents and visitors safe.

I have included a traffic advisory prepared by the PGA and links to the PGA website for more information.

 

2024 PGA Championship website

 

PGA Championship Traffic Advisory

In an effort to provide residents with information surrounding the PGA Championship and how the traffic flow will change, please reference the materials below.

What:  2024 PGA Championship
When:  Monday, May 13 - Sunday, May 19, 2024
Where:  Valhalla Golf Club, 15503 Shelbyville Road

Traffic Overview:
Exciting times are ahead as Louisville gears up for the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club! As your local community resource, we want to ensure residents are well-informed and prepared for any potential traffic impacts during this event.

• Starting the week of April 29, motorists will see signage being installed along Shelbyville Road (U.S. 60) alerting residents of increased traffic. Motorists can expect a continual increase in traffic through May 12 as preparations for the tournament begin.
• Beginning Monday, May 13, Shelbyville Road will have lane restrictions and speed limit reductions from I-265 to Eastwood Cutoff Road. These temporary lane restrictions and speed limit reductions will remain in place through Sunday, May 19.

While these changes may cause some inconvenience, rest assured the priority is your safety. We advise exploring alternate routes to avoid delays. However, if you must use Shelbyville Road, please stay vigilant for temporary signage, traffic changes, and anticipate delays. LMPD and KYTC have been working diligently to make changes in anticipation of increased traffic on Shelbyville Road.

There will be no public parking, drop-offs, or walk-ins at or around Valhalla Golf Club. Residents and guests will not be allowed to walk from their homes to the PGA Championship.

 

For further updates and information regarding the 2024 PGA Championship, please visit pgachampionship.com.

April 2024

Officer of the Month

Officer Wesley Leffler

Officer Wesley Leffler is the April 2024 8^th Division Officer of the Month. Officer Leffler was selected due to his outstanding investigative work over the past month. While on patrol Officer Leffler encountered an individual who was acting suspicious outside a local business. Officer Leffler stopped to speak with the person and quickly realized there was more to the story he was receiving. The person was found to have several prescription narcotics which were just stolen from a local clinic. During subsequent interviews Officer Leffler determined the subject had been stealing prescription narcotics from several local clinics. During his investigation Officer Leffler wrote multiple search warrants and interviewed multiple victims to determine the full extent of the harm caused by the suspect. Officer Leffler’s investigation led him to working with the LMPD Script Squad, FDA, and US Attorney’s Office. His willingness to look closer into a person’s actions led to an extensive investigation resulting in federal charges being pursued against the suspect. Please join me in congratulating Officer Leffler on a job well done.  He is a great example of the exceptional officers we have in the LMPD 8^th Division.

There are several upcoming community events to meet officers from the 8th Division.  There are flyers below with all the details.

• 5/25/2024 - Coffee with a Cop 

  • Grace Evangelical Church - 13060 Factory Lane

• 6/6/2024 - Get the Scoop

  • Kroger - 12450 LaGrange Road

• 6/14/2024 - Father's Day Cook-off Contest

  • Kroger - 9501 Westport Road

• 6/20/2024 - Sweets & Sirens

  • Walmart - 3706 Diann Marie Road

• 7/2/2024 - LMPD Stop the Violence Event

  • Kroger - 9501 Westport Road

Have Questions? Have Concerns? Have Comments?   Come out and meet officers that work in your neighborhood for coffee and conversation.   Valuable crime prevention information will also be available.

LMPD Stop the Violence Event

Kroger

9501 Westport Road

6pm - 8pm

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

Week 0 - 04/29/2024 - 05/05/2024

Week 1 - 04/22/2024 - 04/28/2024

Week 2 - 04/15/2024 - 04/21/2024

Week 3 - 04/08/2024 - 04/14/2024

The 28 Day chart compares the same time period of 2023 and 2024.

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

1 - Robbery Incident

• A food delivery driver was robbed at gun point.

7 - Aggravated Assaults

• 6 - Domestic violence related

• 1 - Non-fatal shooting

  • Shooting involving known persons during an atlercation

17 - Burglary Incidents

• 7 - Attached Garages

  • 4 - Garage entered by garage opener in unlocked vehicle.
  • 3 - entered open garage and took vehicle with the keys in it.

• 6 - Residences

  • 3 - Forced entry to the rear of house and valuables taken.
  • 2 - Domestic Violence related
  • 1 - Suspects entered apartment armed and demanded items from the victims.

• 4 - Commercial locations

  • 2 - Mail room of an apartment complex
  • 1 - Outside refrigerator
  • 1 - Construction site

21 - Auto Theft Incidents

• 15 - Involving other vehicle makes

  • 9 - vehicle unlocked with keys inside
  • 3 - taken by unknown means
  • 3 - taken by known person with the keys

• 6 - Kia/Hyundai vehicles

  • 2 - completed theft without keys
  • 4 - attempts with damage to vehicle

LMPD Kia/Hyundai PSA

 

NHTSA Kia and Hyundai Service Campaign to Prevent Theft

29 - Theft from Vehicle Incidents

• 16 in Neighborhoods

  • 15 - unlocked vehicles
  • 1 - locked with damage from forced entry

• 7 at Businesses

  • 4 - locked with damage from forced entry
  • 3 - unlocked vehicles

• 6 in Apartment Complexes

  • 5 - unlocked vehicles
  • 1 window broken which was also a stolen Kia

 

79% of theft from vehicles involved unlocked vehicles.

 

We need your help to prevent these types of crimes.  Most of the theft from vehicle incidents were from unlocked vehicles.  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

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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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