LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Police Department announced a new task force Wednesday aimed at reducing crime in the city’s busiest commercial and entertainment districts.
The new unit, called the Louisville Impact and Flex Team, or LIFT, is the successor to LMPD’s Summer Task Force, which was created in response to concerns over late-night and overnight violence and disruptions in the city’s nightlife districts. Officers assigned to LIFT will be stationed in high-foot-traffic entertainment and nightlife districts such as downtown, NuLu and the Highlands.
Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said the goal is to maintain a steady police presence while also strengthening relationships between officers and the community.
“We knew that we had to continue getting officers out, engaging with people in our downtown area, focusing on positive engagement with police officers, making sure that people felt safe,” McKinley said. “Because when people feel safe, they tend to want to come to those areas and patronize those areas. And so we had to make sure that we continued that endeavor for the city of Louisville.”
Major Mason Brown, who is leading the new unit, said LIFT will comprise 32 officers who can be deployed across the city for proactive policing. Brown said officers will also focus on the city’s Sustained Focus Improvement neighborhoods, which are areas most affected by violent crime.
“We’ve seen the positive impact of policing when officers get out, develop relationships with their neighbors, businesses and visitors,” Brown said. “Our community is better for it.”
LMPD leaders said the new unit, combined with continued efforts to improve police-community relations, is intended to build on recent reductions in violent crime citywide.
The task force was created in coordination with local business leaders, who said public safety remains their top concern. Sean VanDevander, with the Louisville Hospitality Association, said the collaborative approach mirrors how the Summer Task Force was developed.
“We worked very hard on that summer task force, not only with the owners of bars and restaurants, but with neighbors and residents of the Highlands,” VanDevander said. “So the same goes here. There’ll be neighborhood associations involved. There’ll be business associations involved. And then, of course, all the pre-mentioned leadership from ABC, LMPD, the mayor’s office have been very helpful in getting this assembled and getting this brought forth.”
While the 32 officers will be assigned to specific neighborhoods, LMPD said the unit will also remain mobile and able to respond to situations elsewhere in the city as needed.
The LIFT unit officially launches in Louisville on Sunday, Oct. 17.
Source: spectrumnews1.com
