At a press conference in the West End this morning, Jim King – part of his mayoral campaign – will announce plans to restore LMPD’s gang unit, revitalize the street crimes unit and identify more funding for the Metro Narcotics Unit. Joining him at the presser will be former FOP President David James, community activist Mattie Jones, Councilman George Unseld, et al.
King’s plan was reported a result of a ride-along taken with Officer Steve Kelsey of the LMPD. He says he observed a number of problems facing the law enforcement, but the biggest is reportedly a shortage of officers on the street. King says that when Officer Kelsey called for backup on Cane Run Road his only support came from Muhammad Ali Blvd.
From a press release:
“Spending a Friday night on the beat with one of Louisville’s finest gave me a first-hand appreciation for the hard-working men and women of our first responders and the dedication with which they fight to reduce crime”, King stated. He added, “This city-wide problem requires city-wide effort, and this will be my chief priority as Louisville’s next Mayor.
“There is no greater responsibility for the next Mayor then to keep its citizens safe.” As the next Mayor of Louisville, we’re going to take the streets back, north to south and west to east. What affects one area of this community affects all areas of this community.”
According to the King Campaign, $12.3 million has been spent at the University of Louisville Hospital on firearm-related emergencies. 56% of the money spent was billed as indigent care, the equivalent to a $6.8 million burden on taxpayers. In 2009, the zip code 40211 (where the presser will take place) has had the highest number of firearm-related injuries. The “frequency of firearm related injuries” was predominantly caucasian.
Here are the specifics being released by the campaign, pulled from a white paper:
- Revitalize Street Crimes Unit
Prior to merger, this city-wide unit was proficient at tackling gangs, robberies and serious assaults. The unit needs 25 to 30 officers to begin reducing street crimes. - Restore the Gang Squad
This group gathered intelligence on gang activity and membership and used it to assist all police divisions in the identification of suspects and crimes. I.E., if a wetness to a homicide can identify the suspect by a tattoo, the gang squad could have collected information on the tattoo and its relation to gangs and could assist in locating a suspect. - Fully Fund Metro Narcotics
King says it “would be foolish to deny that illegal drug activity plays a major role in comprehensive criminal activity.” His campaign says more police officers are needed and more dedicated resources are necessary to fight the problem. - Investment in Rehabilitative and Support Care Groups
From King, “[I]t is critical to foster a complete appreciation for wider programming like Project One that creates jobs and connects our youth with positive role models. … [O]ur city must increase our awareness and dedicate more resources to rehabilitative groups like The Healing Place, JDAC and the CARE Center because without recovery, the vicious cycle of addiction continues.”
I’ve only had time to roughly analyze the basics, but more should be available after his press conference.
Thoughts so far? Maybe Jim King finally has his shiz together?
Hopefully this is a sign that Louisville is about to have a real race for mayor that deals with real issues. (Trying not to hold our breath)
12 responses so far ↓
1 Ice Cold Excata // Dec 14, 2009 at 12:37 pm
If King in sincere in restoring anti-gang unit. He’ll get my vote. Gangs and drug trade are rampant in Buechel.
In Buechel one day, in the Highlands the next.
2 MetroHack // Dec 14, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Oh great, someone else who wants to give even more money to the police to the detriment of the other agencies.
3 jake // Dec 14, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Actually, based on information provided, the funds are already being spent. Read above.
$6.8 million.
4 no12steps // Dec 14, 2009 at 3:31 pm
This is all good and fine except for the government mandating religion on addicts. That’s anti-constitutional and there are other methods of recovery that do not demand believe in GAWD.
5 Gil Albans // Dec 14, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Just a thought… Maybe just maybe Councilman King should look at the way the police divisions were set up… Look at the “suburban” divisions which are the 3, 6, 7 and 8 respectfully and compare them to the urban divisions, 1, 2, 4, and 5 for manpower per square mile and manpower for per population in the divisions.
I was told by a friend who is a police officer, that the 8th Division actually is they use a nationally acreddited standard should have atleast 20 more officers divided among their three shifts. He had explained that ANY given night that their may only be 8 officers for 70 tp 80 square miles. He then went on to explain that each of the suburban districts is pretty much in the same boat.
6 justsayin // Dec 14, 2009 at 6:34 pm
With 17 days left in the year Louisville’s crime rate is already 8 – 9% LOWER than last year and will probably end up at its lowest point since merger. We’re consistently ranked as one of the safest cities for our size and right now our homicides rate is lower than 2008.
Maybe those extra dollars should be used to hire more officers or restore some budget cuts instead of trying to resurrect the good ol’ days that only a few officers, and even fewer citizens, remember.
7 chief // Dec 14, 2009 at 7:23 pm
NO Doubt , The Gang Squad is one of the best things King could reimplement. It is necessary for a Metro like Louisville to counter act the Gangs that are a scourge to our community!….I’m behind King on That!….and so will a lot of other voters.
8 Gil Albans // Dec 14, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Another thought, how much has the crime lowered in reality… Or has the change in the KRS for thefts and limitations on different crimes effected the “trends” or in how they have been reported by the command staff of LMPD. Also since LMPD is looking at 69 murders so far, with 17 days left to go… which is on less than last year, I guess the chief will try and explain why violent crimes dont seem to be decreasing and why he felt the need to keep some of my friends “hopping corners” (their descriptions of the mess) on a “summer detail all the way until the is month
9 Ice Cold Excata // Dec 14, 2009 at 10:09 pm
And if Jim King also wants to fire Chief White? That’s fine with me too!
10 kelly // Dec 15, 2009 at 12:48 am
I am casting my vote for Jim King! Finally, a guy who is speaking the truth. JIM keep talking ideas and you will get my vote. Where are the other campaigns? Do they stand for anything?
11 robert // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:41 am
when is jim king going to apologize for his campaign’s mistakes? he can’t just change the subject without correcting the blunders his campaign made.
12 j bruce miller // Dec 20, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I agree with Jim King on this issue. When I was County Attorney one of the key things that we undertook with the old Chief of County Police in conjunction with the City Chief of Police was a ‘gang squad’ that actively infiltrated the early efforts to ‘gangize’ Louisville. We were highly successful with this effort, which included working with the FBI as their efforts related to the Black Panthers, etc. Jim King in on target here. The exploding crime increase Louisville is experiencing is primarily a result of the failure of the police department to have leadership that requires intervention into and eradication of the city’s escalating ‘gang culture.’ The present Mayor and his Chief of Police simply don’t have a clue. They’re ability to think expansively in this particular area is hemmed in by too many liberal policy wonks that surround them. Louisville has experienced dozens of murders and assassinations that probably could have been avoided IF the police ran the police department and not the policy wonks.
Leave a Comment