No doubt. Talk about the law of unintended consequences.

 

I almost wish we still had doctors writing out dozens of fake scrips for OxyContin these days. The heroin dealers that have moved in behind them are of a far nastier sort and a big reason for the spike in homicides in the city.

 

If I could pick two things right now that I think would help the situation immediately:

 

1) Police Chief Conrad has to go. This isn't on the governor or Frankfort but on Mayor Fischer. The decision to eliminate flex squads was a huge error in judgment and nobody on the ground has near enough local information anymore. Replace him with someone with a better idea of what policing a community needs to look like.

 

2) More money for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. They need money for expanded drug treatment, faster processing of cases both for families they're trying to keep together and the ones in which termination of parental rights is the only solution. End the cycle some of these children of dealers and/or addicts are going through.

 

There needs to be a whole lot more than that, including massive reforms of the way we handle education, business investment, job growth, abandoned property, community involvement, and a hundred other facts of everyday life, but those are longer-term, IMO.

 

Could you give the Cliff Notes version of what the Flex Squads are? I have heard them mentioned on the news and people stating for and against them but have heard little of what they really are.

No doubt. Talk about the law of unintended consequences.

 

I almost wish we still had doctors writing out dozens of fake scrips for OxyContin these days. The heroin dealers that have moved in behind them are of a far nastier sort and a big reason for the spike in homicides in the city.

 

If I could pick two things right now that I think would help the situation immediately:

 

1) Police Chief Conrad has to go. This isn't on the governor or Frankfort but on Mayor Fischer. The decision to eliminate flex squads was a huge error in judgment and nobody on the ground has near enough local information anymore. Replace him with someone with a better idea of what policing a community needs to look like.

 

2) More money for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. They need money for expanded drug treatment, faster processing of cases both for families they're trying to keep together and the ones in which termination of parental rights is the only solution. End the cycle some of these children of dealers and/or addicts are going through.

 

There needs to be a whole lot more than that, including massive reforms of the way we handle education, business investment, job growth, abandoned property, community involvement, and a hundred other facts of everyday life, but those are longer-term, IMO.

 

Is Conrad Fischer's guy? Or did he inherit him from Jerry? Fischer may let Conrad go if he is a Jerry appointee but if Fisch selected him personally, the odds are the mayor will not let go of his own appointment.

One practical thing would help immensely is if witnesses would give the police information about the murders. Savannah Walker was shot down at a concert in Portland (near west side of Louisville) and no one knows anything about it? Come on. I understand that witnesses are afraid but someone needs to come forward on her killing and many of the others. I'd imagine that this could be done anonymously.

Could you give the Cliff Notes version of what the Flex Squads are? I have heard them mentioned on the news and people stating for and against them but have heard little of what they really are.

 

Metro Louisville is divided geographically into eight patrol divisions. About 15 years ago or so the previous chief designated that each division would have a specialized unit assigned specifically to handle drugs and violent crime. It significantly reduced the full County-wide Narcotics division and Gang Squad and reassigned many officers in order to make the change.

 

The elimination of the squads sort of takes things back to the old way. The centralized Narcotics unit is getting beefed back up and all narcotics work is going through that office.

 

For me, the local knowledge the flex squad folks had was invaluable. They could tell you the names of the kids/not-so-much-kids they'd always be running off street corners when residents called to complain, what groups were running around in their areas, and what the specific problem spots were.

 

I don't think the effectiveness of the flex squads should have been in doubt, merely the ability of a small number of officers deal with a massive influx of new drugs and new suppliers that we haven't seen in more than two decades. The problem was one of market forces and we just weren't ready for what would happen when Oxy was suddenly off the streets and the state police had busted up so many of the meth labs.

 

I don't think the police can really be blamed for what happened next. There was a vacuum and some nasty people have come around to fill it.

One practical thing would help immensely is if witnesses would give the police information about the murders. Savannah Walker was shot down at a concert in Portland (near west side of Louisville) and no one knows anything about it? Come on. I understand that witnesses are afraid but someone needs to come forward on her killing and many of the others. I'd imagine that this could be done anonymously.

 

The problem is that an anonymous tip might get you an arrest but it won't get you a conviction. It's all for naught unless somebody will point a finger in court and say "It was that man over there."

The problem is that an anonymous tip might get you an arrest but it won't get you a conviction. It's all for naught unless somebody will point a finger in court and say "It was that man over there."

 

And snitches get stiches, so anyone willing to come forward is inherently at risk.

RADICAL. ISLAM.

 

Did... did anything happen?

 

Anyone who says they're fighting terrorism with "love" is a fool and I've never met anyone who does. Where are these people? Universities? Drum circles?

 

The left for years preached that part of the blame for RADICAL ISLAM came from the west and their lack of understanding and acceptance of Islam in general and that if the collective we would be more accepting of their way of life they would go away. I don't see that Pollyannaish world view any different the Bevin's simplistic view of violence in west Louisville.

I do not believe only prayer can solve any issue. And I believe most issues need to be solved by the community. However, in the case of the West End, decades of policies have led to the situation today. But this issue of violence in Louisville is not exclusive to the West End. I'm waiting for Gov Bevin to cart himself to the East End to tell the people of Lyndon to walk and pray. He won't. Because an innocent 7 year old sitting at his kitchen table in his own home wasn't a tragic victim for Matt Bevin to turn into a publicity stunt.

The problem is that an anonymous tip might get you an arrest but it won't get you a conviction. It's all for naught unless somebody will point a finger in court and say "It was that man over there."

IF the cops know who did it, they can try to build the case in other ways than just by an ID in court, can they not? The tip could also lead to other charges. ..... could lead to plea bargains. Knowing who did it cannot hurt.

Is Conrad Fischer's guy? Or did he inherit him from Jerry? Fischer may let Conrad go if he is a Jerry appointee but if Fisch selected him personally, the odds are the mayor will not let go of his own appointment.

 

Fisher appointed him in 2012.

The left for years preached that part of the blame for RADICAL ISLAM came from the west and their lack of understanding and acceptance of Islam in general and that if the collective we would be more accepting of their way of life they would go away. I don't see that Pollyannaish world view any different the Bevin's simplistic view of violence in west Louisville.

 

In reply to understanding the ME and Islam I never called for Pollyanna sunshine.

 

But if one can't acknowledge the historical relationships as factors is pretty blind. For example: the constant years of propping up the Shah in Iran sowed the seeds of hatred for the US there.

 

The understanding of the post WW I treaties and the dividing up of the ME for Western gain likewise provided generations of mistrust and dislike of the West.

My favorite part of this thread is questioning the direction of the party dominating the state as compared to the party that has completely died in the state.

I do not believe only prayer can solve any issue. And I believe most issues need to be solved by the community. However, in the case of the West End, decades of policies have led to the situation today. But this issue of violence in Louisville is not exclusive to the West End. I'm waiting for Gov Bevin to cart himself to the East End to tell the people of Lyndon to walk and pray. He won't. Because an innocent 7 year old sitting at his kitchen table in his own home wasn't a tragic victim for Matt Bevin to turn into a publicity stunt.

 

Let's be honest. Nothing he could do would satisfy you. If he said increase police presence, people would be mad about that. Regardless of what Bevin says or does, the left will despise him.

 

For what it's worth, I think what he said was stupid, but I think he probably had something else in mind to do but advisors probably shot it down. All in all, I'm very pleased with the job he's doing and the respect he's shown for the military and first responders, when the left craps on them.

Let's be honest. Nothing he could do would satisfy you. If he said increase police presence, people would be mad about that. Regardless of what Bevin says or does, the left will despise him.

 

For what it's worth, I think what he said was stupid, but I think he probably had something else in mind to do but advisors probably shot it down. All in all, I'm very pleased with the job he's doing and the respect he's shown for the military and first responders, when the left craps on them.

 

I honestly hoped he had intended to offer real options for building a foundation and solutions. As I said in my opening post, if he had offered an announcement of some sort of initiative to bring jobs to the West End, I'd have cheered him. The local politicians seem to be unable to do so. With Gov Bevins's​ commitment to bringing jobs to KY, I really thought that was what he was going to propose.

 

I am not one who thinks Chief Conrad needs to go. I also think the constant refrain in the media undermines the efforts of the police in Louisville, and I see yet another police chief on his way out. At some point, we have to ask why we keep.gettimg police chief, and then almost immediately, Metro Council, the FOP, etc. all almost immediately start publicly voicing a lack of confidence. And make no mistake, the FOP is absolutely as much at fault as anyone.

 

I definitely don't have 100% solid answers. I do believe the police from top to bottom are doing their best. I believe when there are questionable actions by officers, LMPD does a good job of investigating, and for the most part, I think the police perform their jobs with the right intent. There is a very big focus on creating dialogue and a sense of community between the communities and the police. I get weekly email updates and notices of events geared to put the police in contact with the citizens.

 

I don't think this is as much a problem that can be solved for the long haul simply with more police. I believe it is going to be solved in bettering the opportunities and day to day lives of those in the community. That's not a police issue. That is a city issue, and maybe even a state issue.

My favorite part of this thread is questioning the direction of the party dominating the state as compared to the party that has completely died in the state.

 

Don't forget the party that led the state to the point it is financially.