Louisville police to increase weekend patrols in the Highlands after large crowd

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After hundreds of people filled Bardstown Road in the Highlands on Memorial Day weekend, the Louisville Metro Police Department's 5th Division announced they'll be increasing patrol in the area.

They say they'll be maintaining police presence on Bardstown Road or Baxter Avenue on weekend nights.

They'll also be closing and limiting access to some parking lots on weekends, like Taco Bell, putting additional cameras in the area and working with local business owners to prevent crime.

LMPD said a dedicated detail squad will also patrol Bardstown Road on Friday and Saturday nights and officers will be sure to be in the area during times they expect large gatherings.

"We want to make sure that that presence on the backend is a lot more light handed if we do all the work on the frontend to make sure people are following the rules and taking care of themselves," LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said.

Amber Hayes and Jyrone Parker have been coming to the Highlands for years. They were there Memorial Day weekend when hundreds of people filled Bardstown Road.

"Overall, I was proud that there wasn't a bunch of shootings or nothing like that popping off. It was a good example of contained chaos," Parker said.

With this recent announcement, LMPD is hoping to contain the chaos for the future as well. Something Hayes says could be a good thing for the area.

"There's a lot of stuff that takes place and unfortunately a lot of people do suffer when there's not patrol going on, so I personally think it'll be good to have it as long as everybody acts accordingly," Hayes said.

For Parker, he sees other busy cities like New Orleans and Austin with police patrols on busy streets. He said he wants LMPD to take note of what they're doing.

"Last Saturday was good evidence of a good balance I think so if we keep it like that, I think we'll be good," Parker said.

LMPD is also asking local business owners to complete a Trespass Enforcement Request Form, which allows them to address trespassing without an on-site complaint.

Community members can also report suspicious behavior to 574-LMPD.

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