Concerns rise over masked teens in Louisville's west end; nonprofits offering alternatives

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Concerns are growing in several neighborhoods in Louisville's west end after reported sightings of armed and masked teens, but local nonprofits are working to provide youth with other alternatives.

Louisville Metro councilwoman Donna Purvis, D-5, warned residents to be vigilant amid "recent reports of youth traveling through neighborhoods wearing hoodies, masks, and in some cases brandishing weapons" in a newsletter Monday.

"I have seen the children with the hoodies," said Kimberly Daugerty. "I've seen two on my way home, my husband works late so I come in from picking him up around 11 o'clock at night."

Purvis sent out the safety warning to her district that includes the Chickasaw, Portland, Russell and Shawnee neighborhoods.

"We received several more calls from constituents that have picked up criminal activity on their Ring cameras with youth, appear to be youth checking people's car doors, breaking in cars, stealing cars," Purvis said.

Daugerty believes it could coincide with summer.

"We should be able to live in peace, but like I said now school is out and I think it's children that are doing this," Daugerty said.

The councilwoman said she received a call from a constituent who claimed to see suspicious activity Friday morning as children were being dropped off at a daycare. But Purvis didn't share where.

"I don't want the business owner to become a target," Daugerty said.

Louisville Metro Police can't confirm a run was made because Purvis didn't provide an address. But LMPD said officers will continue nightly patrols in the area and if anyone sees anything suspicious, they're urged to call police immediately.

"I'm asking everyone to be cautious and try to observe your surroundings as you go out, and I'm even going as far as saying 'hey listen' tell your neighbor 'I'm getting ready to go to the car, I'm getting read to pull up, can you look out for me,'" Purvis said.

Purvis and neighbors hope the youth find something more productive to do.

"I'd rather see them do something more positive, that would keep them out of trouble," Purvis said. "We have several nonprofits that we're working with, that are looking to put juveniles to work."

ACE PROJECT WOODWORKING PROJECT — The ACE Project is leading a program called Men in the Making, focusing on wood-working skills in Louisville, Ky. (*WDRB Media photo*)

One of those nonprofits is the Ace Project. It's currently hosting a wood-working program for teenagers called "Men in the Making." Teens learn to build furniture and other important life skills.

The nonprofit opened a workshop at the Delta Foundation in the Portland neighborhood.

"We had a young man that came today who did not want to be here, he made it clear that he did not want to be here, but we talked to him," said Joshua Toomer, the program's director. "Once he started cutting wood, once he started drilling screws, once he started chiseling and hammering he's like 'I'm so happy I came and I'm glad to be back tomorrow.'"

The program is full for the current session and there's a waiting list. But more volunteers could help the program expand. The organization also has other programs for at-risk youth looking for opportunities.

"Know that you have people in your community that care about your well-being because we do," Daugerty said.

To learn more about The ACE Project, click here.

You can also submit tips anonymously through the LMPD Crime Tip Line by calling (502) 574-LMPD (5673), or through the department's anonymous Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.

Louisville bar shut down for underage drinking, arrest of 'severely impaired' driver

Louisville protesters rally against ICE enforcement, National Guard deployment to Los Angeles