Mayor Craig Greenberg announced this past Thursday he has chosen Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel as Louisville’s Chief of Police. Gwinn-Villaroel currently serves as interim chief and will now be the permanent leader of LMPD, the largest law enforcement agency in Kentucky with more than 1,000 sworn officers.

Gwinn-Villaroel was selected following a thorough nationwide search, which resulted in 20 candidates from across the United States. Each finalist was interviewed by an advisory committee of elected officials, nonprofit leaders and affected residents. “Over the past six months, Chief Gwinn-Villaroel has shown our city that she has exactly what I’m looking for in a chief and exactly what our community is looking for in a leader,” said Mayor Greenberg. “She has extensive experience in law enforcement leadership and a record of reform. She is also a magnificent community leader and pastor who cares about the people she serves. Chief Gwinn-Villaroel has my trust, and I look forward to continuing to serve with her in this new role.” Gwinn-Villaroel spent 24 years with the Atlanta Police Department, beginning in 1997 as a patrol officer and serving in numerous capacities including detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. In 2020 she was promoted to commander of the Atlanta Police Department’s Training Academy before joining LMPD as deputy chief in 2021. In seven months as interim chief, she launched the department’s first nonfatal shooting unit, expanded the successful Crisis Call Diversion Program and opened the new LMPD Officer Wellness Center. She also created the new narcotics tip line and worked with the Office of Inspector General on an agreement to promote transparency and accountability in OIG investigations. “Louisville has welcomed me with open arms, and I am honored to be the leader of our police department,” Gwinn-Villaroel said. “My team and I are dedicated to building trust between LMPD and the people of this city through community policing, transparency and accountability. And to the LMPD officers who dedicate their lives to public service every day: Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice. I look forward to working with all of you to make LMPD the best police department in America."

The LMPD is committed to engaging the public when revising our policies. The LMPD seeks feedback from the public. Below is the process the Department has implemented to ensure a deliberate and thoughtful process when revising policies.

Process

• Policies that have been revised each quarter will be posted for review and public comment.
• Changes that have been made to the previous policy will be highlighted.
• Comments will be reviewed and considered by appropriate personnel and leadership during the next policy review process.

General Order for the policies listed individually below:

General Order # 23-003 May 2023 SOP Updates

https://www.louisville-police.org/882/LMPD-Public-Review-of-Policy

There are many events that seniors in our community can take part in at the Fairdale Playtorium.  Most notably is the Senior Nutrition Center, which serves nutritional lunchtime meals to active senior citizens and delivers to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels Program, throughout the Louisville Metro area. These programs help to improve the lives of older adults by supporting good nutritional health and promoting their independence and well-being.

There are opportunities for groups classes as well.  An exercise group meets every morning Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the gym.  There is a quilting group and a woodworking group that meets weekly.  Lisa Moore with Jencare Senior Medical with the help of Fairdale's own Jenni Metzger plan monthly craft projects.  Bill and Sherry Gaines host a Fairdale Prime Timers Club that meets monthly for a meal and fellowship.  If you are interested in participating in any of these activities, please contact my office.

Please take a moment to read the Fairdale Senior Nutrition Center newsletter below.  

Fairdale Senior Nutrition Center Newsletter:

Lots of exciting news spread throughout our golden oldies club!  We are just older you, or on the move, and in the know of being some of Fairdale's finest accomplishments.  We are just kids at heart, enhancing our local community.  

We are predictable in learning more about healthy living.  We regularly catch up on one another's aches and pains.  We reach out for opportunities to encourage walking and exercising along life's journey.  Our nutritional meals help keep us fit as a fiddle.  

Our senior club is an extension of our living rooms at home...welcoming, comfortable and relazing.  We consider our club friends more like family.  Sometimes we just hang out and exchange our ideas on life's situations.

Our golden oldies club reflects many backgrounds that attract all who appreciate the "Sunny Side of Life."  Mandy here serve meals to shut-ins in Fairdale.  Others provide treats from our neighboring groceries.  Our birthdays are speacial and are remembered with cards.  Our monthly events and craft days are posted.

We are thankful and appreciate all those who make us feel valued and involved.  We compliment our spectacular mentors who believe in us as become healthy, wealthy, and wise.  Let's give a round of applause to Kristie, Dan Heather, Lisa A. and Lisa M.  

Take courage and be happy as we continue to enjoy life's sweet blessings right here in good old Fairdale.  In these days ahead, we will be welcoming our medical students from Fairdale High School to join us in continuing our wellness living program.  

We pause in silence and keep family and friends in our thoughts and prayers, at this time in the loss of loved ones. Remembering Dorothy Miller, "Dottie" who had a passion for her community.  Her love lies in our hearts every day.  Take courage and be happy as we enjoy life's sweet blessings right here in "good old" Fairdale.  So long for now because time flies and must.

By: Delores Wilkins