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June 2020 Newsletter
Over the past month, thousands of concerned citizens have made commitments to learn, grow, and join sweeping movements of peace. We are saddened to see the tragic events that have brought the work of violence prevention to the forefront but hopeful for the changes to come alongside our growing band of supporters. We share this hope with you on this momentous Juneteenth which our city declares a holiday for Louisville Metro Government employees starting in 2021. With communication more important than ever, we plan to resume monthly newsletters to keep our expanding network of advocates informed.
One Love Louisville Virtual Ambassador Institute
Turn your passion into action and learn the tools needed to make a difference in your own community! Our next Ambassador Institute will be June 27, 2020. In an effort to adapt to the virtual platform, we have shortened the institute. Training will take place from 9:30AM-12:30PM. Participants will be trained in Mental Health 101, Suicide Prevention, Community Organizing, Conflict Resolution, and the Public Health Approach to Violence. If you have ever wanted to join an institute, doing so is easier than ever! Registration for the event can be completed here.
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Virtual Town Halls on Instagram Live
Over the past several months, Outreach Coordinator Lavel White has interviewed multiple community partners in an effort to inform the community and promote civic engagement. His previous interviews have included Kentucky State Representative Attica Scott, Dr. Steven Kniffley Jr., representatives from The Showcase of HBCU, SummerWorks, and several others. Upcoming interviews can be viewed on Instagram Live by visiting and following @SafeHealthyLou
July 2 – 6-7 PM
Interview with Doriyan Woodard, THRIVE Fellowship and special guest Keturah Herron, ACLU to discuss Criminal and Juvenile Justice.
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Stay Tuned for Race Based Trauma Virtual Info Sessions
Race Based Trauma stems from everyday micro-aggressions that deny people of color access to resources, power, and even basic survival needs based solely on the color of their skin.
We look forward to hosting virtual info sessions for anyone interested in learning more about Race Based Trauma in the coming months. Virtual info sessions will meet the following objectives:
- Provide definitions for racism and micro-aggressions
- Define race related stress
- Explore the experience of racial trauma and its impact on psychological, physical, and relational health
- Highlight tools to prevent the negative experience of racial trauma
The Collective Care Center is a proud partner of the Trauma Resilient Community initiative which aims to provide healing centered work to clinicians, community service providers, and children and families.
Youth Implementation Team (YIT) Nears Closing of 2019-20 Cohort
Our One Love Louisville Youth Implementation Team looks to wrap up their 2019-2020 year and we could not be more proud of all they have achieved. This is the fifth cohort of our youth advisory council to Mayor Fischer. Each year, young people between the ages of 14 and 24 work to create a city of safe neighborhoods through civic engagement and advocacy. As their year nears closing, we want to make sure their accomplishments do not go unnoticed.
Youth Team members rallied together for various initiatives this year. Some of their successes include pushing for improved messaging regarding COVID-19 and participating on Building Back Better workgroups across multiple sectors in Louisville. Members of the youth team organized and promoted 502CON, a virtual violence prevention conference that convened several city leaders and elected officials. YIT members participated in a handful of forums, press conferences, and media events regarding the dangers of E-cigarettes. They met with Metro Council members, community leaders, and Mayor Fischer on multiple occasions to form and deliver recommendations related to police reform and search warrant protocols. Due to exceptional community involvement and expertise, one Youth Implementation Team member was chosen to sit on the Civilian Review Board formed by Mayor Fischer.
While reflecting on the achievements of this past year, we are all reminded that this group of extraordinary young leaders represent countless youth in our community who demand justice with more zeal than ever. We look forward to welcoming our next cohort of passionate youth and young adults this fall.
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Applications for the 2020-2021 Cohort will be Available August 3
Youth must be Louisville residents aged 14-24 years old. Implementation Team members will gain valuable experience in leadership, insight into local government, and knowledge in violence prevention efforts. Most importantly, they will get the chance to let their voices be heard among elected officials and community leaders. Stay tuned for additional applicant information in upcoming newsletters.
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Our two areas of engagement for our 2019-2020 cohort included:
- Implementing and advocating for restorative justice practices
- Development of youth mental health resources with youth leadership
Mayor Fischer is requesting feedback on search for next Chief of Police
Mayor Fischer has partnered with Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit who is working to distribute questionnaires to concerned citizens and members of LMPD. The questionnaire seeks to compile feedback from three main areas:
- What are the 3 most important qualities or skills you would like to see in the next police chief for the Louisville Metro Police Department?
- Share any suggestions you have for improving police services.
- What would you like to see the next chief accomplish immediately? Over the next 2-3 years?
The survey, which will be available until the end of June, is the first step towards locating Louisville’s next Chief of Police. The Police Executive Research Forum will also hold forums with workgroups and Metro Council representatives to gather additional feedback. After data is reviewed and analyzed, interviews will begin for qualified candidates. The process is expected to take between 4-6 months.
Breonna’s Law Approved by Metro Council and Signed by Mayor Fischer
The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is pleased to see the bipartisan support and passing of Breonna’s Law by Metro Council on June 11. The bill, which was signed into law by Mayor Fischer on June 12, effectively ends no-knock warrants in Louisville. Search warrants must now be executed with the following procedures:
- Physically knock on an entry door to the premises in a manner and duration that can be heard by the occupants.
- Clearly and verbally announce as law enforcement having a search warrant in a manner than can be heard by the occupants.
- Absent exigent circumstances, wait a minimum of 15 seconds or for a reasonable amount of time for occupants to answer the door, whichever is greater, before entering the premises.
Breonna’s law also provides stipulations that body cameras must be worn during the execution of a search warrant. Body camera procedures are as follows:
- All LMPD officers present in the execution of a warrant shall be equipped with an operating body camera.
- No later than five minutes prior to all warrant executions, each officer on the premises must activate their body camera recording equipment and may not deactivate the equipment any sooner than five minutes following the completion of the execution of the warrant.
- All recorded data must be retained for five years following an executing action. The recorded data shall be stored in a separate electronic file category designated for this purpose.
U.S. Senator Rand Paul filed legislation last week regarding no-knock warrants as well. The legislation, appropriately named “The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act,” would prohibit no-knock warrants across the country among federal, state, and local agencies receiving funding from the Department of Justice.
There is great work happening here in the office, and most importantly, in our community. It is our goal to keep you engaged, involved and co-leading our important work. Our vision for Louisville is a city of safe neighborhoods where everyone is supported, free of violence, and prepared for lifelong success. We can only achieve this together, so stay connected with our monthly newsletters, social media, and visit our website for more information and additional calls to action.
We would love your feedback. If you have questions or concerns regarding our newsletter, or have a related event that you would like to communicate with our networks, contact Joe Newland.
Take care of each other.
#BeThe1
OSHN Team
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