Public Safety & Community Policing Policy

Dave Biggers for Louisville Mayor 2026

Executive Summary

Louisville faces a public safety crisis rooted not in lack of resources, but in misaligned priorities and broken trust between police and the communities they serve. With over 180 homicides in recent years and clearance rates below 50%, traditional policing strategies have failed West Louisville while over-policing has eroded community trust.

Dave’s Vision:

True community policing where officers become trusted neighbors, not occupying forces. Prevention over reaction. Healing over punishment. A public safety system that makes all Louisville neighborhoods as safe as the East End—not through aggressive enforcement, but through genuine partnership between police and community.

Key Proposals:

1. Mini Police Substations – At least one in every ZIP code (63 ZIP code areas), $47.5 million over 4 years
2. Community Wellness Centers – 18 centers across West Louisville and underserved areas, $45 million annually
3. Co-Responder Model – Mental health professionals paired with officers, $8 million annually
4. Violence Prevention Programs – Community-based intervention, $12 million annually
5. Police Accountability & Reform – Constitutional policing, oversight, transparency

Budget Impact:

Total Public Safety Investment: $110.5 million annually within $1.2 billion Metro budget
– Funded through reallocation from ineffective enforcement to proven prevention
– Creates 300+ new jobs (officers, social workers, community health workers, violence interrupters)
– Evidence shows 15-30% reduction in violent crime within 3 years

Current Situation: Louisville’s Public Safety Crisis

The Numbers Tell the Story:

Violent Crime:
– 180+ homicides in 2023 (highest per capita in Kentucky)
– Homicide clearance rate: 48% (below national average of 60%)
– Non-fatal shootings: 500+ annually
– Aggravated assault: 3,000+ annually

Geographic Inequality:
– West Louisville: Homicide rate 5-10x higher than East End
– Russell, Parkland, Shawnee neighborhoods: Over 50% of city’s homicides
– East End ZIP codes: Often zero homicides annually

Police-Community Relations:
– Consent decree from DOJ for pattern of unconstitutional policing
– Community trust in LMPD: Below 30% in West Louisville neighborhoods
– Officer diversity: 80% white in a city that’s 24% Black
– Complaint investigation: Lack of independent oversight

Root Causes Unaddressed:
– Mental health crisis: 20-40% of police calls involve mental health
– Substance abuse: Opioid crisis with 600+ overdose deaths in 2023
– Economic desperation: West Louisville unemployment 2-3x citywide average
– Trauma: Generational poverty, violence exposure, systemic racism

What’s Not Working:

Traditional “Tough on Crime” Approaches:
– Increased police budgets haven’t reduced crime
– Aggressive enforcement erodes community trust
– Arrest-focused policing doesn’t address root causes
– Mass incarceration perpetuates cycles of poverty and crime

Current LMPD Deployment:
– Officers respond to calls, then leave
– No consistent officer presence in high-need neighborhoods
– Community policing exists in name only
– Officers don’t live in or know communities they serve

Reactive Rather Than Preventive:
– Resources concentrated on response after crimes occur
– Minimal investment in prevention
– Social services separate from public safety strategy
– No coordination between police, health, housing, jobs

Who Suffers Most:

Black Louisville Residents:
– Experience both over-policing (stops, arrests) and under-protection (unsolved murders)
– 5x more likely to be victims of violent crime than white residents
– 3x more likely to be arrested for identical behaviors
– Bear brunt of failed public safety strategies

Families and Children:
– Children traumatized by witnessing violence
– Families losing loved ones to preventable violence
– Parents terrified to let children play outside
– Generational trauma from chronic violence exposure

Small Businesses:
– Struggle to operate in high-crime areas
– Pay higher insurance, lose customers, face theft
– Can’t attract employees due to safety concerns
– Economic vitality drained by crime and fear

Dave’s Vision: Community Safety Through Partnership

What Success Looks Like:

Neighborhood Transformation:
– Children playing safely in parks and streets
– Neighbors knowing their local officers by name
– Business districts thriving without fear
– Community events without violence
– Trust replacing fear in police interactions

Measurable Outcomes (4 Years):
– 30% reduction in violent crime
– 70%+ homicide clearance rate (vs. current 48%)
– 50%+ reduction in police use of force incidents
– Community trust in police exceeds 60% (vs. current 30%)
– Response times under 8 minutes for emergencies
– Zero officer-involved shootings of unarmed individuals

Equitable Safety:
– West Louisville homicide rates decrease to East End levels
– All neighborhoods receive equal protection and service
– Public safety investments prioritize highest-need areas
– Communities feel safe AND respected by police

Detailed Policy Proposals

1. Mini Police Substations: True Community Policing

See Glossary Terms: Mini Police Substation, Community Policing, Beat Policing, Neighborhood Policing

The Concept:

Small neighborhood police facilities (1,000-2,000 sq ft) staffed by 2-4 officers who work exclusively in that neighborhood, building relationships with residents, merchants, churches, schools, and community organizations. Officers become familiar neighborhood presences—attending community meetings, knowing residents by name, and preventing crime through visible presence and partnership rather than aggressive enforcement.

Deployment:

• At least one mini substation in every Louisville ZIP code (63 ZIP code areas)
• Priority deployment: West Louisville neighborhoods with highest crime rates
• Timeline: 18 substations in first 2 years, additional substations based on community need and budget availability
• Locations: Existing Metro buildings, repurposed vacant buildings, partnerships with institutions

Staffing Model:

• 2-4 officers per substation (beat officers permanently assigned)
• Community Service Officer (unarmed, community liaison)
• Part-time social worker (2-3 days/week, connecting residents to services)
• Community volunteers (neighborhood watch, auxiliary support)

Officer Selection:

• Officers apply voluntarily (no forced assignments)
• Selection prioritizes community policing skills over aggressive enforcement
• Preference for officers living in or near assigned neighborhoods
• Diversity goals: Officer demographics reflect neighborhood demographics
• Extensive community policing training before assignment

Operations:

• Walk/bike patrols rather than car patrols
• Community office hours – Residents can walk in with concerns
• Youth engagement – Officers mentor kids, coach teams, attend schools
• Business partnerships – Know merchants, prevent theft through relationships
• Problem-solving – Address quality of life issues (abandoned vehicles, lighting, nuisances)
• 24/7 presence through multiple shifts, even when facility closed

Budget:

• $47.5 million over 4 years for up to 63 ZIP code areas substations
• $650,000 per substation (facility lease/renovation + first year staffing)
• $350,000 annually per substation ongoing (salaries, operations)
• Phase 1 (Years 1-2): 18 substations = $11.7M + $6.3M annual operating
• Full buildout (63 ZIP code areas substations): $47.5M capital + $25.6M annual operating

Evidence:

• Chicago’s Community Policing: 20% crime reduction in neighborhoods with substations
• Richmond, CA: 70% reduction in homicides using community policing model
• Cincinnati: Beat officers reduced use of force 40% while improving clearance rates
• Los Angeles LAPD: Community substations show 15-25% crime reduction vs. areas without

Accountability:

• Community Advisory Boards for each substation
• Quarterly crime statistics published by substation area
• Community satisfaction surveys measuring trust and service quality
• Officer performance reviews include community feedback
• Transparency: Community can observe operations, provide input on priorities

2. Community Wellness Centers: Prevention Infrastructure

See Glossary Terms: Community Wellness Center, Social Determinants of Health, Prevention, Wraparound Services

The Concept:

One-stop hubs in high-need neighborhoods providing health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, job training, food assistance, legal aid, and social services—addressing root causes of crime and violence. Co-located with or near mini police substations to coordinate safety and services.

18 Centers Across Louisville:

• West Louisville Priority: Russell, Parkland, Portland, Shawnee, California, Algonquin, Chickasaw, Park DuValle
• South End: Pleasure Ridge Park, Valley Station
• Other Underserved: Newburg, Buechel, Highview

Services Offered:

Health Services:
– Primary care clinic (partnership with FQHC or health system)
– Mental health counseling and crisis intervention
– Substance abuse assessment and treatment
– Dental and vision care
– Health insurance enrollment assistance
– Community Health Workers for home visits

Social Services:
– SNAP/WIC/Medicaid application assistance
– Housing assistance and eviction prevention
– Utility assistance and weatherization programs
– Legal aid clinics (eviction defense, expungement, family law)
– Domestic violence support and safety planning

Economic Opportunity:
– Job training and placement
– Adult education and GED programs
– Small business development assistance
– Financial literacy and banking access
– Expungement clinics removing employment barriers

Youth & Family:
– After-school programs and homework help
– Summer learning and recreation
– Parenting classes and family support groups
– Early childhood programs and childcare referrals
– Youth mentoring and violence prevention

Community Building:
– Meeting space for neighborhood organizations
– Community organizing support
– Participatory budgeting for neighborhood improvements
– Cultural events and celebrations
– Conflict mediation and restorative justice circles

Staffing:

• Medical staff: Nurse practitioners, nurses, community health workers
• Mental health: Licensed therapists, substance abuse counselors, peer support specialists
• Social workers: Case managers connecting people to services
• Community organizers: Building resident leadership and power
• Administrative: Facility coordinators, receptionists
• Total per center: 15-20 staff = 270-360 jobs across 18 centers

Budget:

• $45 million annually for 18 centers
• $2.5 million per center annually (staffing, operations, partnerships)
• Facility costs: Utilize existing Metro buildings, repurpose vacant buildings
• Revenue offsets: Medicaid reimbursement for health services ($5-8M annually)
• Net cost: $37-40 million annually within $1.2 billion budget

Evidence:

• Baltimore City Health Department: Community health centers reduced ER visits 25%, saved $12M annually
• Oakland, CA: Youth centers in high-crime areas associated with 30% reduction in youth violence
• Hartford, CT: Community wellness hubs reduced recidivism 40% among participants
• Every $1 invested in prevention returns $5-7 in reduced emergency, criminal justice, and social service costs

Coordination with Public Safety:

• Co-responder teams based at wellness centers
• Violence interrupters employed by centers
• Conflict mediation as alternative to arrests
• Reentry support for people leaving incarceration
• Information sharing (within privacy rules) between police and services

3. Co-Responder Model: Mental Health Crisis Response

See Glossary Terms: Co-Responder Model, Crisis Intervention Team, Mental Health Crisis, Behavioral Health

The Problem:

20-40% of police calls involve mental health or substance abuse crises. Officers aren’t mental health professionals and shouldn’t be primary responders to health crises. Current approach results in:
– Inappropriate arrests/incarceration of people experiencing mental health crises
– Escalation of situations due to officers lacking de-escalation training
– Officer-involved shootings of people in mental health crisis
– Jail becoming de facto mental health facility
– People cycling through crisis-arrest-release without treatment

Dave’s Solution:

Licensed mental health professionals paired with police officers responding to mental health calls. Mental health professional leads the interaction while officer provides safety backup.

Implementation:

Teams:
– 18 co-responder teams (one per Community Wellness Center)
– Each team: Licensed clinical social worker or therapist + trained officer
– Operating hours: Initially 8am-midnight (peak crisis hours), expand to 24/7 based on demand
– Mobile crisis units can respond anywhere in Louisville

Response Protocols:
– 911 dispatch screening: Identifies mental health/substance abuse calls
– Co-responder team dispatched instead of or alongside regular patrol
– Mental health professional leads assessment and intervention
– Officer provides safety but doesn’t take lead unless violence occurs
– Connect to services rather than arrest whenever possible
– Follow-up care coordinated through Community Wellness Centers

Training:
– Officers: 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training
– Mental health professionals: Safety training, police procedures, cultural competence
– Joint training: Building team dynamics, de-escalation, crisis assessment

Budget:
– $8 million annually for 18 teams
– $444,000 per team annually (salaries for therapist + officer + vehicle + operations)
– $2 million startup (training, vehicles, equipment)

Expected Outcomes:
– 50% reduction in arrests for mental health crises
– 70% reduction in use of force during mental health calls
– 80% of people connected to ongoing treatment vs. current 20%
– Zero deaths of individuals in mental health crisis during police encounters
– Cost savings: $5-8 million annually from reduced incarceration and ER visits

Evidence:
– Eugene, OR CAHOOTS program: 20+ years, handles 20% of 911 calls, $2.1M budget saves $15M in police/ER costs
– Denver STAR program: 2,700+ calls in first year, zero arrests, zero police backup needed for 95% of calls
– Houston Crisis Intervention Team: 50% reduction in use of force, officers prefer responding with mental health professionals

4. Violence Prevention & Intervention Programs

See Glossary Terms: Violence Prevention, Violence Interrupter, Cure Violence, Conflict Mediation, Community Safety

The Approach:

Treat violence like a disease – identify those at highest risk, interrupt transmission, change community norms. Deploy credible messengers (often formerly incarcerated people) who can intervene in conflicts before they escalate to violence.

Hospital-Based Violence Intervention:

• Trauma-informed care for shooting/assault victims at University of Louisville Hospital
• Violence intervention specialists work with victims during recovery
• Case management: Jobs, housing, mental health, conflict mediation
• Prevent retaliation by addressing underlying conflicts
• 6-month intensive support transitioning victims away from violence
• Budget: $1.5 million annually (3 specialists + case management)
• Evidence: Reduces retaliation shootings 50-70%

Street Outreach & Conflict Mediation:

• 30 Violence Interrupters deployed in highest-violence neighborhoods
• Credible messengers: People from community, often formerly incarcerated, trained in conflict mediation
• Proactive outreach: Build relationships with high-risk youth and young adults
• Interrupt conflicts before they escalate to violence
• Provide alternatives: Connect to jobs, education, mental health, housing
• Community events providing positive activities and conflict-free spaces
• Budget: $6 million annually (salaries, training, operations)
• Evidence: Chicago CeaseFire showed 16-34% reduction in shootings in intervention areas

Safe Passage Programs:

• Trained adults monitoring routes between schools and neighborhoods
• Prevent youth violence during high-risk times (before/after school)
• Mentoring relationships with young people
• Quick response to emerging conflicts
• Coordinate with schools on student needs
• Budget: $1.5 million annually
• Evidence: Chicago Safe Passage reduced violent crime 20% along routes

Youth Development & Mentoring:

• Expanded after-school programming through Metro Parks and Community Wellness Centers
• Summer jobs for 2,000+ high school students – working youth don’t commit crimes
• Mentoring programs connecting at-risk youth with positive adult role models
• Sports leagues and arts programs providing structure and purpose
• Life skills training: Conflict resolution, emotional regulation, career planning
• Budget: $3 million annually (in addition to recreation budget increases)

Total Violence Prevention Budget: $12 million annually

Expected Outcomes:
– 25% reduction in shootings in intervention areas within 2 years
– 50% reduction in retaliation violence among program participants
– 70% of participants connected to jobs, education, or services
– Cost-effectiveness: Every shooting prevented saves $500,000 in medical, criminal justice, and social costs

5. Police Accountability & Constitutional Policing

See Glossary Terms: Police Accountability, Constitutional Policing, Consent Decree, Civilian Oversight, Use of Force

The Requirement:

Louisville operates under a federal consent decree requiring constitutional policing. True reform requires not just compliance but cultural transformation from warrior mentality to guardian mentality.

Independent Oversight:

Strengthen Civilian Review Board:
– Subpoena power to compel testimony and evidence
– Independent investigators not employed by LMPD
– Public hearings on officer misconduct complaints
– Discipline recommendations that must be implemented or publicly justified if rejected
– Budget: $2 million annually (staff, investigators, operations)

Office of Inspector General:
– Independent from LMPD and Mayor’s office
– Investigates systemic problems, not just individual complaints
– Audit power to review policies, training, data
– Public reports on LMPD performance and accountability
– Budget: $1.5 million annually

Use of Force Reforms:

Strict Standards:
– De-escalation required as first response
– Duty to intervene when witnessing excessive force by other officers
– Prohibition on neck restraints except deadly force situations
– Shoot at vehicles banned except imminent deadly threat
– Warning before shooting when feasible

Transparency:
– Immediate public disclosure of officer-involved shootings (within 72 hours)
– Body camera footage released within 30 days absent compelling reason
– Use of force dashboard showing trends by officer, district, demographics
– Annual report on all use of force incidents with analysis

Training Revolution:

De-Escalation First:
– 40 hours annually on de-escalation, crisis intervention, implicit bias
– Scenario-based training emphasizing communication over force
– Mental health awareness recognizing and responding to mental health crises
– Trauma-informed policing understanding how trauma affects behavior

Community Policing Training:
– Community engagement skills as core competency
– Cultural competence training on communities served
– Problem-solving rather than arrest-focused approaches
– Procedural justice – how police interact affects community trust

Recruitment & Retention:

Diversity Goals:
– Officer demographics reflect city demographics within 5 years
– Targeted recruitment in Black communities and underserved neighborhoods
– Hiring incentives for officers living in Louisville ($5,000 bonus)
– Mentoring for minority officers and women

Retention:
– Competitive salaries retaining quality officers
– Career development paths beyond patrol
– Wellness programs addressing officer stress and trauma
– Positive performance incentives rewarding community policing success

Early Intervention:
– Data systems tracking officer performance (use of force, complaints, sick days)
– Red flags trigger intervention before problems escalate
– Coaching and support rather than punishment for early-stage issues
– Remove problem officers who don’t improve

Budget for Accountability & Reform: $8 million annually

Budget Summary: Public Safety Investments

Total Annual Public Safety Budget: $110.5 Million (within $1.2B Metro Budget)

Funding Sources (Budget-Neutral within $1.2B):

Reallocation from Ineffective Spending:
– Reduced incarceration costs: $15M annually (500 fewer jail beds @ $30K/year)
– Reduced emergency room costs: $8M annually (fewer untreated mental health/substance crises)
– Economic development incentive reforms: $20M annually (redirect corporate subsidies)
– Efficiency improvements: $12M annually (procurement, technology, operations)
– Federal grants: $10M annually (violence prevention, community policing, mental health)
– Medicaid reimbursement: $8M annually (Community Wellness Center health services)
– Remaining gap: $27M from general fund reallocations

Return on Investment:

Direct Cost Savings (Conservative Estimates):
– Reduced incarceration: $15M annually
– Reduced emergency healthcare: $8M annually
– Reduced property crime/theft: $5M annually
– Reduced 911/emergency response: $3M annually
– Total annual savings: $31M (offsets $27M gap with $4M surplus)

Indirect Economic Benefits:
– Property value increases in safer neighborhoods: $50M+ annually
– Business development in previously high-crime areas: $30M+ investment
– Reduced fear enabling economic activity
– Workforce participation as people feel safe leaving homes

Human Benefits (Unquantifiable but Real):
– Lives saved (180+ homicides → 125 or fewer)
– Families preserved (reduced incarceration)
– Trauma prevented (children growing up without violence)
– Trust rebuilt (police-community relationships)
– Hope restored (communities see government delivering)

Implementation Timeline

First 100 Days:

Immediate Actions:
1. Hire Community Safety Director reporting to Mayor
2. Identify first 6 mini substation locations through community input
3. Launch co-responder pilot with 3 teams in highest-need areas
4. Begin Community Wellness Center planning with neighborhood partners
5. Appoint Independent Oversight leaders (Inspector General, Civilian Review Board)
6. Review LMPD policies for constitutional compliance
7. Community listening tours in all high-crime neighborhoods

Quick Wins:
– Increase foot patrols in commercial districts
– Launch Safe Passage pilot at 10 schools
– Expand Crisis Intervention Team training
– Release use of force data publicly
– Announce mini substation locations for Year 1

Year 1 (First 12 Months):

Mini Police Substations:
– Q1-Q2: Renovate/lease first 6 locations
– Q2-Q3: Recruit and train first 36 beat officers
– Q3: Open first 6 substations with community celebrations
– Q4: Evaluate, adjust, plan next 12 locations

Community Wellness Centers:
– Q1-Q2: Identify first 6 center locations, secure facilities
– Q2-Q3: Hire staff, establish partnerships (health systems, FQHCs, nonprofits)
– Q3-Q4: Open first 6 centers
– Q4: Evaluate operations, plan next 6 centers

Co-Responder Teams:
– Q1: Launch 3 pilot teams
– Q2: Evaluate and expand to 9 teams
– Q3: Expand to 15 teams
– Q4: Reach full 18 teams citywide

Violence Prevention:
– Q1-Q2: Launch hospital-based violence intervention at UofL Hospital
– Q2-Q3: Recruit and train 30 violence interrupters
– Q3: Deploy street outreach teams in 6 neighborhoods
– Q4: Evaluate and expand

Accountability:
– Q1: Inspector General and enhanced Civilian Review Board operational
– Q2-Q4: Implement policy reforms, training changes
– Ongoing: Monthly public reports on progress

Years 2-4:

Year 2:
– 12 additional mini substations (18 total operational)
– 6 additional Community Wellness Centers (12 total)
– Expand violence prevention to 10 neighborhoods
– Measurable crime reduction in Year 1 intervention areas

Year 3:
– Continue expansion based on community need and budget
– Data-driven adjustments based on first 2 years
– Scale successful pilots, discontinue what doesn’t work
– 25% reduction in violent crime from baseline

Year 4:
– Reach steady-state operations for all initiatives
– Institutionalize reforms so they outlast any mayor
– 30% reduction in violent crime from baseline
– Community trust in public safety systems rebuilt

Success Metrics & Accountability

Crime Statistics (Measured Quarterly):

Violent Crime:
– Homicides: Target 30% reduction (180 → 125)
– Non-fatal shootings: Target 30% reduction (500 → 350)
– Aggravated assault: Target 20% reduction
– Robbery: Target 25% reduction

Clearance Rates:
– Homicides: 48% → 70%+
– Shootings: 35% → 60%+
– Aggravated assault: 40% → 65%+

Property Crime:
– Burglary: Target 20% reduction
– Vehicle theft: Target 15% reduction
– Theft from vehicles: Target 25% reduction

Community Trust (Measured Annually via Survey):

• Trust in LMPD: 30% → 60%+
• Feel safe in neighborhood: 40% → 70%+
• Satisfied with police response: 50% → 75%+
• Would call police for help: 45% → 80%+
• Police treat community fairly: 35% → 70%+

Police Performance:

• Use of force incidents: Target 40% reduction
• Complaints against officers: Target 30% reduction
• Officer-involved shootings: Target 50% reduction
• Body camera compliance: 80% → 99%+
• Response times: Under 8 minutes for emergencies

Service Delivery:

• Community Wellness Center participants: 50,000+ annually by Year 4
• Co-responder calls: 10,000+ annually
• Violence prevention contacts: 5,000+ at-risk youth annually
• Mini substation walk-ins: 100+ per substation monthly

Economic Indicators:

• Property values in intervention areas: 10%+ increase
• New business openings in high-crime areas: 25% increase
• Commercial vacancy rates: 20% decrease
• Employment in intervention areas: 15% increase

Transparency Requirements:

Public Dashboards (Updated Monthly):
– Crime statistics by neighborhood
– Police use of force incidents
– Response times by district
– Complaint investigations and outcomes
– Community Wellness Center usage
– Violence prevention contacts
– Budget spending vs. plan

Annual Reports:
– Comprehensive evaluation of all initiatives
– Cost-benefit analysis
– Community feedback and satisfaction
– Recommendations for improvements
– Independent audit of data accuracy

Community Input:
– Quarterly town halls in each Metro Council district
– Community Advisory Boards for substations and wellness centers
– Annual community safety summit
– Ongoing engagement through Community Wellness Centers

Related Glossary Terms

Core Public Safety Terms:
– Mini Police Substation
– Community Policing
– Beat Policing
– Neighborhood Policing
– Community Wellness Center
– Co-Responder Model
– Crisis Intervention Team
– Violence Prevention
– Violence Interrupter

Police Reform & Accountability:
– Police Accountability
– Constitutional Policing
– Consent Decree
– Civilian Oversight
– Use of Force
– Body Cameras
– Implicit Bias
– Procedural Justice

Prevention & Intervention:
– Social Determinants of Health
– Wraparound Services
– Trauma-Informed Care
– Conflict Mediation
– Restorative Justice
– Recidivism
– Reentry Programs
– Cure Violence Model

Community Engagement:
– Community Organizing
– Participatory Democracy
– Community Advisory Board
– Resident Leadership
– Civic Engagement

Full glossary available at: rundaverun.org/glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

Why not just hire more police officers?

More officers doesn’t equal more safety. LMPD has over 1,200 officers—more per capita than many peer cities with lower crime rates. The problem isn’t quantity, it’s strategy. Traditional patrol officers respond to calls then leave. Beat officers in mini substations build relationships and prevent crime through presence and partnership. Plus, we need mental health professionals, violence interrupters, and community health workers—not just more cops—to address root causes.

Can Louisville afford this?

We can’t afford NOT to. Violent crime costs Louisville $500M+ annually in medical care, lost productivity, reduced property values, and business flight. Every homicide costs society $1-2 million. This plan costs $110M annually but saves $150M+ through reduced incarceration, ER visits, and crime. It’s budget-neutral within the $1.2 billion Metro budget through smart reallocations from ineffective spending to proven prevention.

How is this different from current community policing?

LMPD claims to do community policing but doesn’t deliver. True community policing requires:
– Officers permanently assigned to specific neighborhoods (not rotating assignments)
– Officers on foot/bike building relationships (not in cars responding to calls)
– Physical presence in the community (not just during shifts)
– Problem-solving partnerships (not arrest quotas)

Mini substations enable REAL community policing. Current LMPD deployment is traditional patrol with “community policing” label.

What about violent criminals who need to be locked up?

Public safety requires BOTH accountability and prevention. Serious violent offenders absolutely should be prosecuted and incarcerated. But:
– 70% of people in jail haven’t been convicted (pretrial detention for inability to pay bail)
– Many arrests are for poverty-related crimes (trespassing, shoplifting, drug possession) that don’t require incarceration
– Prevention keeps people from becoming violent criminals in the first place
– Reentry support prevents released individuals from reoffending

Smart public safety means appropriate consequences for serious crime PLUS prevention addressing root causes so fewer people turn to crime.

Won’t this reduce police presence and make neighborhoods less safe?

The opposite. Mini substations INCREASE police presence through permanent beat officers walking neighborhoods daily—not patrol cars driving by occasionally. Communities will see officers MORE, not less. Plus Community Wellness Centers, co-responders, and violence interrupters add hundreds of additional public safety professionals. Total public safety presence increases significantly.

How do you prevent corruption or abuse in mini substations?

Robust accountability mechanisms:
– Community Advisory Boards with oversight authority
– Quarterly crime statistics published per substation
– Community satisfaction surveys
– Independent Inspector General audits
– Civilian Review Board investigates complaints
– Body cameras required during all interactions
– Officers can be removed based on community feedback

Community oversight ensures substations serve neighborhoods, not the reverse.

What if officers don’t want to work in mini substations?

Officers will VOLUNTEER for these assignments. Many officers chose policing to help communities but are frustrated by current deployment that prevents relationship-building. Mini substations attract officers who want to do real community policing. Plus:
– Safer working environment (community support vs. community hostility)
– More satisfying work (building relationships vs. responding to calls)
– Career development (community policing experience valued for promotions)
– Better schedules (consistent assignment vs. rotating shifts)

Staffing challenge will be selecting among applicants, not finding volunteers.

What about police union opposition?

Partnership, not confrontation. This plan:
– Increases LMPD staffing (adding officers for substations)
– Improves working conditions (safer, more satisfying assignments)
– Provides training and development (career advancement opportunities)
– Addresses officer wellness (mental health support, trauma counseling)
– Maintains competitive pay

Union leadership may have concerns, but rank-and-file officers often support community policing when done properly. We’ll engage FOP from day one, address legitimate concerns, and build partnership.

How do Community Wellness Centers relate to public safety?

Addressing root causes prevents crime. People turn to crime due to:
– Economic desperation (no jobs, no income, no opportunities)
– Mental health crises (untreated illness, trauma, substance abuse)
– System barriers (criminal records, eviction history, lack of education)
– Hopelessness (no path to better life)

Community Wellness Centers address ALL these factors—connecting people to jobs, treatment, housing, education, and hope. Prevention is more effective and humane than punishment after the fact.

What happens if crime doesn’t decrease as projected?

Data-driven adjustments. We’ll measure progress quarterly:
– What works gets expanded
– What doesn’t work gets modified or discontinued
– Resources shift to highest-impact interventions
– Community input guides adjustments

Evidence from peer cities shows 15-30% crime reduction with these strategies. If Louisville sees less impact, we’ll analyze why, engage experts, and adapt. Transparency and accountability ensure we deliver results, not excuses.

Conclusion: A New Vision for Public Safety

Louisville’s public safety crisis isn’t inevitable—it’s the result of failed strategies that emphasized punishment over prevention, enforcement over partnership, and reaction over addressing root causes.

Dave Biggers offers a fundamentally different approach: Community safety through genuine partnership between police and residents. Prevention addressing root causes before people turn to crime. Mental health professionals responding to mental health crises. Violence interrupters stopping conflicts before they escalate. Officers who know neighbors by name and are known in return.

This isn’t soft on crime—it’s smart on safety. Every dollar invested in prevention saves $5-7 in emergency response, incarceration, and crime costs. Every life saved from violence is a family that doesn’t suffer unimaginable grief. Every young person connected to opportunity instead of arrested is a taxpayer instead of a cost.

Louisville deserves better. Our children deserve to play safely in parks. Our families deserve to walk streets without fear. Our businesses deserve to thrive without crime strangling economic vitality. Our Black residents deserve equal protection AND equal respect.

The choice is clear: Continue failed strategies that waste money while leaving communities unsafe? Or embrace proven approaches that build genuine safety through partnership and prevention?

Dave Biggers will deliver community safety through community partnership.

Because public safety isn’t about control—it’s about trust.

For more information:
– Full glossary of public safety terms: rundaverun.org/glossary
– Implementation research report: [Available on request]
– Community input: rundaverun.org/community-safety-input

Questions or feedback: safety@rundaverun.org

Paid for by Dave Biggers for Louisville Mayor 2026