LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With at least 150 homicides in Louisville for 2023, LMPD is encouraging people to speak up.
Last year ended with 157 homicides in Louisville, according to police data. While the total number of homicides is down slightly this year, parents who have lost a child in a shooting tell WDRB that the amount of violence is disheartening.
In a sit-down interview this week, LMPD Major Crimes Division Commander Major Arnold Rivera said in several recent cases, investigators have gotten crucial information from the public that has led to police solving violent crimes.
Rivera said looking ahead to the new year, the goal is always to solve violent crimes, but there's also a plea to the community.
"The silence that we see often times is condoning that violence. Somebody somewhere knows who perpetrated a crime. And that doesn't mean you don't love that person. You can still love them. You just can't get behind what they did," he said.
Rivera said the more the community hears of the collective trauma families are enduring, it could potentially motivate others to walk away from violence. He said too many lives are lost.
"It is too many. It is way too many. This is our community. Not just mine, not just yours. Everyone that lives in Louisville has to share in that trauma. And we have to own that trauma, and we have to say 'enough'," Rivera said.
In addition to triple-digit homicides, more than 400 people have survived shootings this year in Louisville, according to LMPD. Of that number, the department's new Non-Fatal Shooting Unit has investigated at least 217.
The unit was formed around May 2023, and started looking into active non-fatal cases.
"To have a dedicated group of specialists that are trained and motived to work hard to solve violent crime, it's a benefit to this department," said Rivera. "It's a benefit to this community, and is one that I think is going to continue to shine in the future."
The unit has helped share and centralize information with LMPD, including helping out the Major Crimes Division.
The unit was formed around May and started looking into active cases, helping out the Major Crimes Division.
When the Non-Fatal Shooting Unit was announced earlier this year, Mayor Craig Greenberg said often the same people who pull the trigger in non-fatal shootings commit homicides and other crimes.
When asked about a message to the community going into the new year, Maj. Rivera said he'd like to see people step up and help one another.
"Treat each other with kindness, see each other as human beings. Resolve conflicts. Do the right thing. This is our community. We're responsible for and to each other, and making sure that we live in a vibrant, safe community. Everyone. We all have a role to play here," he said.
LMPD has a tip line where you do not have to give your name. It's 502-574-LMPD (5673). There's also an online portal for anonymous tips.
Related stories:
