LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Metro Police laid out its focus for fighting crime in 2026.
LMPD's 2026 Crime Plan is very similar to 2025's, and the department is targeting specific areas of Louisville.
In 2025, LMPD shifted toward data and evidence-based policing. Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said officers prioritized community engagement and violent offender enforcement, or tracking down the people driving crime in the city.
The 2026 Crime Plan builds off last year's strategy, as officers continue to rebuild trust. This includes LMPD's Sustained Focus Improvement areas.
These are designated neighborhoods where LMPD puts extra resources toward reducing violent crime.
Five areas in Louisville were under the microscope in 2025. However, one of those focus areas shifted in 2026.
"We did remove an area that was out in the sixth and seventh division," McKinley said. "It was the around Fern Valley and Preston Highway area. That area's scores improved over time, and we replaced that with the California neighborhood."
LMPD saw a drop in homicides, non-fatal shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies, rape, and overall violent crime in these focus areas last year compared to 2024.
These are designated neighborhoods where LMPD puts extra resources toward reducing violent crime.
Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said it's not about enforcement. She said it's about directing resources where they're most needed and improving Louisville's neighborhoods together.
"Our mission this year remains the same," McKinley said. "Reduce violence, save lives, and strengthen community trust. We kept what worked. We're improving what's needed."
One major win for the department: patrol drones. This technology gives LMPD the upper hand during investigations.
"This is just absolutely taken off for us," Chief Paul Humphrey said. "It's a piece of technology that we thought was going to be beneficial, but we are already seeing it pay off in dividends."
Officers are layering this technology with the city's Drone as First Responders program. Those give police, firefighters and other first responders an aerial view before they make it to a scene.
In January, LMPD used a drone's thermal imaging to help find a shooting suspect hiding in the bushes.
"The drone is able to see where officers couldn't," Humphrey said. "This is technology that ultimately makes it safer for everyone."
Humphrey said LMPD has 14 patrol drones rotating between dozens of officers. Humphrey said he hopes to double the fleet and get around the clock coverage in every division.
The department is also relying on Flock cameras. Humphrey said those helped LMPD crack a robbery case at a Dunkin Donuts on Fern Valley Road.
"These are tools for us to be able to take bad people off the street and do it in a safer way," Humphrey said.
LMPD’s 2026 crime plan builds on declining violence, expanding drones, data-driven policing and trust efforts.
Top Stories:
Former Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton dies at 94 after years of public service
Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized after experiencing 'flu-like symptoms' over the weekend
Louisville developer to build new downtown tower, convert Humana building into 'world-class' hotel
Code Louisville to shut down after 13 years as tech job market shifts
Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
