4. Mini Substations Implementation Plan
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DAVE BIGGERS FOR MAYOR
Mini Substations Implementation Plan
At Least One in Every ZIP Code: 4-Year Deployment Strategy
Budget Version: 3.1
Date: October 12, 2025
Total Investment: $650K per station annually | $29.9M+ estimated at full capacity (Year 4)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Goal: One mini police substation in EVERY Louisville zip code by end of Year 4
Strategy:
- Start in highest-crime areas (immediate impact)
- Expand systematically across all neighborhoods
- Complete citywide coverage by Year 4
- Community input at every phase
- Year 1: $7.8M (12 substations @ $650K each)
- Year 2: $15.6M (24 substations total)
- Year 3: $23.4M (36 substations total)
- Year 4: $29.9M (63 substations total)
- Funded through reallocation from LMPD administrative overhead
- Officers on foot patrols in defined neighborhood zone
- Community knows officers by name
- Officers know residents and businesses
- Prevention through presence and relationships
- Meeting space for community
- 20-30% crime reduction average
- 35% increase in community trust
- Officers prefer this assignment (better job satisfaction)
- Community meetings in each zip code
- FOP consultation on logistics
- Site identification
- Architectural plans
- Lease agreements finalized
- Renovation/build-out
- IT infrastructure installed
- Equipment procurement
- Officer recruitment/reassignment
- 40-hour community policing training
- Meet-and-greet events
- Advisory committees formed
- Grand opening events
- 24/7 operations begin
- Data collection starts
- Quarterly public reports
- 40206 Crescent Hill
- 40207 St. Matthews East
- 40215 Iroquois / Auburndale
- 40220 Buechel
- 40228 Fern Creek South
- 40229 Fern Creek North / J-Town
- 40241 Middletown / Douglass Hills
- 40243 Plainview
- 40202 Downtown CBD
- 40205 Highlands / Bardstown Road
- 40209 Shively South / Valley Station
- 40217 PRP North
- 24 substations operational (52% of goal)
- Measurable crime reduction in Year 1 areas
- Community satisfaction surveys
- Officer morale surveys positive
- 40208 Algonquin area
- 40222 St. Matthews West
- 40223 Middletown Central
- 40242 Indian Hills / Glenview
- 40245 Lake Forest / Barbourmeade
- 40253 Valley Station
- 40256 Lake Louisvilla
- 40257 Southwest Louisville
- 40259 PRP South
- 40291 Jeffersontown South
- 40299 Fern Creek Extended
- 40118 Fairdale
- 36 substations operational (nearing full coverage)
- Citywide crime reduction trends visible
- Model for other cities
- Lessons learned inform final 10
- 40014 Prospect
- 40023 Crestwood
- 40025 Pewee Valley
- 40059 Masonic Home area
- 40177 Shepherdsville border
- 40201 Downtown Waterfront
- Second locations in high-need areas (3 substations)
- All 63 substations operational
- Comprehensive program evaluation
- 35% crime reduction goal assessment
- National model status
- Within or adjacent to target zip code
- Maximum 1.5-mile radius per substation
- Public transportation accessible
- Ground floor (ADA compliant)
- Parking for 6+ spaces (officers + visitors)
- Visible from main street
- Safe for 24/7 operations
- Lease: $10K-15K/month OR
- City-owned building available OR
- Purchase under $500K
- Renovation under $200K
- Adequate lighting
- Secure parking for patrol vehicles
- Electronic security possible
- Safe neighborhood
- Town hall meeting in neighborhood
- Online survey
- Door-to-door outreach
- City presents 2-3 finalist sites
- Community feedback sessions
- FOP safety input
- Announce chosen site
- Address concerns
- Begin setup
- Community Advisory Committee (5-7 residents + 2 police)
- Monthly meetings
- Input on programs and priorities
- Reception/Community Space: 1,200 sq ft
- Officer Work Area: 1,500 sq ft
- Meeting Room: 800 sq ft
- Break Room/Lockers: 600 sq ft
- Storage/Equipment: 500 sq ft
- Restrooms: 400 sq ft
- Desktop computers (6): $9,000
- Mobile laptops (3): $4,500
- Printers/scanners: $3,000
- Security cameras (8): $8,000
- WiFi/network: $2,000
- Phone system: $2,000
- Body cameras: Assigned from LMPD pool
- Real-time data access: $5,000
- Misc tech: $6,500
- Patrol bicycles (4): $3,600
- Bike storage: $1,500
- High-vis vests (10): $500
- First aid kits (3): $300
- Flashlights/equipment: $600
- Communication radios: $6,000
- Misc patrol gear: $2,500
- Desks, chairs, filing: $12,000
- Meeting room furniture: $5,000
- Reception furniture: $4,000
- Break room appliances: $2,000
- Misc furniture: $2,000
- Exterior illuminated sign: $5,000
- Window graphics: $1,500
- Interior wayfinding: $1,000
- Community boards: $500
- Misc signage: $2,000
- 6 officers rotating shifts (24/7 coverage)
- Salaries + benefits included
- Officers remain on LMPD payroll
- This represents their full-time allocation
- Rent/lease: $120K-180K/year ($10K-15K/month)
- Utilities: $18,000/year
- Property insurance: $6,000/year
- Maintenance/repairs: $6,000/year
- Office supplies: $5,000
- Technology maintenance: $8,000
- Bike maintenance: $2,000
- Community programs/events: $20,000
- Training/professional development: $10,000
- Miscellaneous: $5,000
- 2 patrol cars per substation
- Fuel: $15,000/year
- Vehicle maintenance: $20,000/year
- Insurance: $15,000/year
- Day Shift (7am-3pm): 2 officers
- Evening Shift (3pm-11pm): 2 officers (peak crime hours)
- Night Shift (11pm-7am): 2 officers
- 18-month rotations (prevents burnout)
- Experience different neighborhoods
- Career development opportunity
- Minimum 2 years patrol experience
- Good community relations record
- No sustained complaints for excessive force
- Volunteer preferred
- Bilingual bonus (Spanish, Arabic, etc.)
- Community policing philosophy (8 hrs)
- De-escalation techniques (8 hrs)
- Cultural competency (4 hrs)
- Mental health first aid (4 hrs)
- Conflict resolution (4 hrs)
- Youth engagement (4 hrs)
- Trauma-informed policing (4 hrs)
- Community resource navigation (4 hrs)
- Monthly roundtables
- Quarterly advanced training
- Annual recertification
- Officers arrive, review overnight reports
- Brief from night shift
- Plan day’s patrol route
- Officers on foot/bike patrol
- Wave to residents leaving for work
- Check in with local businesses
- School zone presence
- Coffee with seniors at community center
- Youth program coordination
- Problem-solving with business owners
- Eat at local restaurant (visibility)
- Continue informal community contact
- Document day’s activities
- Brief evening shift
- Handoff any ongoing situations
- Peak crime hours (3-7pm)
- After-school presence
- Youth engagement
- Patrol hotspots
- Basketball with kids
- Community meeting attendance
- Business district foot patrol
- Brief night shift
- Hand off any concerns
- Foot/car patrols
- Bar/restaurant closing presence
- Respond to calls in coverage area
- Support other substations as needed
- Community Coffee (1st Saturday, 9am)
- Youth Basketball League
- Senior Safety Walks
- Business Owner Forums
- Neighborhood Watch Coordination
- Safety Fairs
- Kids’ Police Academy Days
- Community BBQs
- Crime Prevention Workshops
- Safe walk-home program
- Business security assessments
- Home safety checks (seniors)
- School crossing assistance
- National Night Out host site
- Back-to-School events
- Holiday toy drives
- Community appreciation events
- Violent crime rates (homicide, assault, robbery)
- Property crime rates (burglary, theft, vandalism)
- Response times to calls
- Arrest rates vs. diversion rates
- Community satisfaction surveys (quarterly)
- Trust in police scores
- Meeting attendance rates
- Program participation numbers
- Job satisfaction surveys
- Retention rates in community policing
- Complaint rates
- Use-of-force incidents
- Business activity in substation areas
- Property values
- New business openings
- Community investment
- Internal metrics reviewed
- Command staff briefings
- Course corrections as needed
- Public reports released
- Community presentations
- Metro Council briefings
- Comprehensive evaluation
- Academic partnership analysis
- National comparison
- Public hearing on results
- 15-20% crime reduction in substation areas
- 25% increase in community trust (surveys)
- 300+ community events held
- 10,000+ positive police-community contacts
- 20-25% crime reduction in coverage areas
- 30% increase in community trust
- National attention/media coverage
- Model for other cities
- 25-30% crime reduction citywide
- 35% increase in community trust
- Measurable economic development impact
- Officer recruitment improves
- 35% crime reduction goal achieved
- Dramatic improvement in police-community relations
- Louisville model adopted by other cities
- Sustainable, permanent program
- Administrative overhead reduction: $14M/year
- Consolidation of patrol operations: $10M/year
- Support services efficiency: $6M/year
- Total available: $30M/year (covers full deployment)
- FOP representatives on site selection committees
- Officer safety paramount in design
- Training developed with FOP input
- Voluntary assignment preferred
- Community policing pay differential ($2-5K/year)
- Career advancement opportunities
- Equipment and safety guarantees
- Reasonable assignment lengths (18 months)
- Quarterly FOP leadership meetings
- Officer feedback incorporated
- Issues addressed promptly
- Celebrate successes together
- 280+ neighborhood beat officers
- 20-30% crime reduction in areas with consistent presence
- High community satisfaction
- Neighborhood Policing program
- 77 precincts with community officers
- Dramatic crime reduction since implementation
- Senior Lead Officer program
- Officers assigned to specific areas
- Long-term relationships with communities
- Community Police Team Officers
- Micro-community policing stations
- Positive outcomes documented
- Neighborhood policing rollout
- Mixed results, but concept sound
- Louisville can learn from their challenges
- Youth violence reduction model
- 63% reduction in youth homicides
- Strong community partnerships
- Director: Reports to Police Chief
- Site Selection Manager
- Community Engagement Coordinator (3)
- Training Coordinator
- Data/Evaluation Analyst
- Assigned LMPD Deputy Chief
- District Commanders (coordinate with substations)
- Officer recruitment/assignment
- Training delivery
- Overall oversight
- Community communication
- Budget management
- Problem-solving support
- 15 residents (3 from each district)
- Monthly meetings
- Input on policies and locations
- Accountability mechanism
- Substation opened 2018
- Year 1: 22% reduction in violent crime
- Year 2: 35% reduction
- Community trust scores doubled
- Business investment increased
- Community policing since 1996
- 63% reduction in youth homicides (Operation Ceasefire)
- Sustainable long-term (25+ years)
- National model
- Micro-station approach
- Officers integrated into community
- Crime reduced, trust increased
- Economic development followed
Funding:
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WHAT IS A MINI SUBSTATION?
Not a full police station. A neighborhood police post where 2-6 officers work on rotating shifts, walking the beat and building community relationships.
Size: Approximately 5,000 square feet (smaller than a typical McDonald’s)
Staffing: 6 officers rotating shifts for 24/7 coverage
Purpose:
Proven Results:
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YEAR-BY-YEAR DEPLOYMENT
YEAR 1: 12 SUBSTATIONS (Months 1-12)
Focus: Highest violent crime rate zip codes
Annual Cost: $7.8 million
Goal: Demonstrate immediate impact in most-needed areas
Substations 1-12 Locations:
| # | Zip | Neighborhood | Rationale |
|—|—–|————–|———–|
| 1 | 40203 | Russell | Historic violence concentration |
| 2 | 40211 | Shawnee / Park DuValle | Gang activity, needs visible presence |
| 3 | 40212 | Portland | Industrial area, underserved |
| 4 | 40210 | Chickasaw / Park Hill | Youth violence, community ready |
| 5 | 40214 | Okolona South | Growing area, underserved |
| 6 | 40216 | Shively North | Commercial corridor |
| 7 | 40218 | Newburg | Multiple neighborhoods |
| 8 | 40219 | Okolona / Highview | Rapid growth area |
| 9 | 40258 | Pleasure Ridge Park | Suburban sprawl |
| 10 | 40272 | Newburg South | Youth programs coordination |
| 11 | 40204 | Old Louisville | College area, foot patrols effective |
| 12 | 40213 | Algonquin / Beechmont | Family-focused programs |
Year 1 Timeline:
Months 1-3: Planning
Months 4-6: Build-Out
Months 7-9: Staffing
Months 10-12: Launch
—
YEAR 2: 12 MORE SUBSTATIONS (24 Total)
Focus: Medium-high crime areas + coverage gaps
Annual Cost: $15.6M total (24 substations)
Goal: Expand footprint, prove scalability
Additional Locations (13-24):
Year 2 Milestones:
—
YEAR 3: 12 MORE SUBSTATIONS (36 Total)
Focus: Remaining medium/low crime areas
Annual Cost: $23.4M total (36 substations)
Goal: Reach critical mass, nearly complete
Additional Locations (25-36):
Year 3 Achievement:
—
YEAR 4: FINAL SUBSTATIONS (Complete Coverage)
Focus: Complete coverage, optimize based on data
Annual Cost: $29.9M+ (estimated full coverage)
Goal: 100% citywide coverage achieved
Final Locations (37-63):
Year 4 Completion:
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SITE SELECTION CRITERIA
PRIMARY CRITERIA (Must Meet All)
โ Geographic Coverage
โ Community Accessibility
โ Cost-Effectiveness
โ Safety & Security
PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS
???? Near community centers, libraries, or schools
???? Existing city-owned building
???? Mixed-use area (residential + commercial)
???? Strong community support
???? Partnership opportunities
—
COMMUNITY INPUT PROCESS
3 Months Before Opening:
2 Months Before:
1 Month Before:
Ongoing:
—
SUBSTATION DESIGN
PHYSICAL SPACE
Size: Approximately 5,000 square feet
Layout:
– Welcoming area for walk-ins
– Seating for 12-15 people
– Community bulletin boards
– Coffee station
– Desks for 6 officers
– Computers with LMPD network
– Secure equipment storage
– Report writing space
– Community meetings
– Private conversations
– Training space
– Kitchenette
– Officer lockers
– Rest area
– Patrol bikes (4)
– Community policing equipment
– Emergency gear
– ADA compliant
– Public + officer facilities
EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY
Each Substation Receives:
Technology (~$40K one-time):
Patrol Equipment (~$15K one-time):
Office/Furniture (~$25K one-time):
Signage (~$10K one-time):
TOTAL ONE-TIME SETUP: ~$90K per substation
—
OPERATING COSTS PER SUBSTATION
Annual Operating Budget: $650,000
Personnel: $400,000
Facility Costs: $150,000
Operations: $50,000
Vehicles/Transport: $50,000
TOTAL: $650,000 per substation annually
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STAFFING MODEL
PERSONNEL PER SUBSTATION
Standard: 6 officers per substation (24/7 coverage)
Shift Coverage:
Officer Assignments:
OFFICER SELECTION
Criteria:
Training (40 hours before assignment):
Ongoing:
—
DAILY OPERATIONS
TYPICAL DAY AT A SUBSTATION
7:00 AM – Day Shift Begins
7:30 AM – Morning Patrol
10:00 AM – Community Engagement
12:00 PM – Lunch
2:00 PM – Shift Change Prep
3:00 PM – Evening Shift Begins
6:00 PM – Evening Activities
10:00 PM – Shift Change
11:00 PM – Night Shift
—
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
EACH SUBSTATION OFFERS:
Monthly Programs:
Quarterly Events:
Ongoing:
Annual:
—
METRICS & EVALUATION
WHAT WE MEASURE
Crime Statistics:
Community Outcomes:
Officer Outcomes:
Economic Indicators:
REPORTING
Monthly:
Quarterly:
Annually:
—
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
YEAR 1 (12 Substations)
YEAR 2 (24 Substations)
YEAR 3 (36 Substations)
YEAR 4 (63 substations – Complete)
—
BUDGET SUMMARY
4-YEAR INVESTMENT
Year 1: $7.8M (12 substations + setup costs)
Year 2: $15.6M (24 substations total)
Year 3: $23.4M (36 substations total)
Year 4: $29.9M (63 substations total)
Total 4-Year Investment: ~$77M cumulative
Ongoing Annual Cost (Year 4+): $29.9M
FUNDING SOURCE
Reallocated from LMPD budget:
Police budget stays at $245.9M – just allocated differently.
—
RISK MITIGATION
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES
Challenge: Community skepticism about police presence
Mitigation: Early, frequent community input; advisory committees; officer selection criteria
Challenge: Officer resistance to foot patrol
Mitigation: Volunteer preference; training; career path incentives; positive culture building
Challenge: Finding suitable real estate
Mitigation: Flexible site criteria; city-owned building use; partnerships with property owners
Challenge: Sustaining funding over 4 years
Mitigation: Budget locked in advance; phased so costs ramp up gradually; early wins build support
Challenge: Measuring success accurately
Mitigation: Clear metrics from Day 1; academic partnership; transparent reporting
—
UNION PARTNERSHIP
FOP ENGAGEMENT
Year 1 Planning:
Contract Considerations:
Ongoing Collaboration:
—
COMPARISON WITH OTHER CITIES
CITIES USING THIS MODEL
Chicago:
New York City:
Los Angeles:
Seattle:
Baltimore:
Boston:
—
IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE
Office of Community Policing (New):
LMPD Partnership:
Mayor’s Office:
Community Advisory Board:
—
SUCCESS STORIES FROM OTHER CITIES
WHAT TO EXPECT
Chicago – Beat 2524 (Englewood):
Boston – Dorchester Neighborhood:
Seattle – South Park:
Louisville can expect similar results with committed implementation.
—
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why $650K per station? That seems expensive.
A: That’s for 6 officers (24/7 coverage), rent, utilities, vehicles, equipment, and community programs. It’s realistic and sustainable. Cheaper estimates fail because they understaff or cut corners.
Q: Can’t officers just patrol from their cars?
A: They can, but it doesn’t work as well. Foot patrols create relationships. Community policing requires visibility and accessibility. 50+ cities prove this approach works.
Q: What if a neighborhood doesn’t want a substation?
A: Community input is built into site selection. If a specific location has opposition, we work with the community to find an alternative. But resistance is rare when people understand the benefits.
Q: Will this take officers away from emergency response?
A: No. Louisville still has centralized dispatch and rapid response capability. Substations AUGMENT, not replace, traditional policing.
Q: What about low-crime areas?
A: They get substations too (Years 3-4). Prevention keeps crime low. Community policing benefits all neighborhoods.
Q: Is this permanent?
A: Yes. This is a fundamental shift in how LMPD operates, not a pilot program. Once built, substations are part of the permanent infrastructure.
—
CONCLUSION
63 mini police substations represent a fundamental transformation in how Louisville does public safety.
Not radical. Proven in 50+ cities.
Not experimental. Based on 30+ years of research.
Not expensive. Same police budget, allocated smarter.
This is how we achieve 35% crime reduction over 4 years.
This is how we rebuild trust between police and community.
This is how we make every Louisville neighborhood safer.
Let’s get to work.
—
For Implementation Questions:
Email: implementation@rundaverun.org
Website: rundaverun.org/mini-substations
—
MINI SUBSTATIONS IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE
Budget Version 3.1 | Updated October 12, 2025
Detailed. Realistic. Achievable. Evidence-Based.
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โ๏ธ Policy Comparison: Real Change vs. Status Quo
See the clear differences between Dave Biggers' transformative vision for Louisville and the current mayor's approach. The choice is yours.
Public Safety & Policing
Current Mayor
Approach
- Centralized police response
- Reactive approach to crime
- Limited community engagement
- Focus on patrol units
Dave Biggers
Approach
- 63 mini substations across Louisville (4-year deployment)
- Officers living and working in communities they serve
- Preventative community policing model
- Year 1: 12 substations in highest-need areas
Mental Health & Wellness
Current Mayor
Approach
- Reliance on existing healthcare facilities
- No dedicated community wellness centers
- Fragmented mental health services
- Emergency-room dependent model
Dave Biggers
Approach
- 18 wellness centers across 6 regions
- Mental health counseling, addiction support
- Youth programs, family services
- 3 centers per region for accessibility
Youth Development
Current Mayor
Approach
- Traditional rec centers
- Limited after-school programming
- Seasonal sports leagues
- Minimal job training for youth
Dave Biggers
Approach
- After-school programs at all substations
- Job training and mentorship
- Arts, sports, and STEM programs
- Youth advisory councils
- Summer employment pathways
Economic Development
Current Mayor
Approach
- Tax breaks for large corporations
- Downtown-centric development
- Limited support for small business
- Gentrification without displacement protection
Dave Biggers
Approach
- Small business incubators at substations
- Local hiring requirements for city contracts
- Neighborhood-based economic zones
- Affordable housing protection
- Living wage standards
Housing & Affordability
Current Mayor
Approach
- Minimal affordable housing requirements
- Limited tenant protections
- Rising rents in many neighborhoods
- Displacement from development
Dave Biggers
Approach
- Expanded affordable housing trust fund
- Strong tenant protections
- Community land trusts
- Rent stabilization measures
- Anti-displacement policies for existing residents
Government Transparency
Current Mayor
Approach
- Annual budget reports
- Limited real-time data
- Reactive public engagement
- Closed-door development deals
Dave Biggers
Approach
- Real-time budget dashboard
- Public data portal for all city metrics
- Community advisory boards with veto power
- Open contracting process
- Regular town halls in all neighborhoods
The Choice is Clear
Louisville deserves transformative change, not more of the same. Join us in building a city that works for everyone.
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