Louisville creates new 24-person commission to help curb violent crime

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the creation of a 24-person Community Safety Commission aimed at curbing violence in the city.

The group — made up of government representatives, community organizers and citizens — will receive regular reports from the city about the new Safe Louisville crime plan, which was announced earlier this year.

"In Louisville, we’re fortunate to have so many people committed to the work of public safety, and this is an amazing opportunity to tap into that resource and collaborate," Greenberg said in a news release Thursday. "We heard from some amazing applicants, and I’m looking forward to their work getting started."

The 36-page Safe Louisville document identifies the areas in the city where the most crimes occur, and outlines a three-point strategy to deal with it: prevention, intervention and enforcement. The document also mentions the economic impact of violent crime, noting that each fatal shooting "is associated with an estimated cost of $934,115," and a non-fatal shooting is estimated to cost $508,897. The shootings in 2024 cost Louisville taxpayers more than $308 million, according to the document.

Greenberg said gun violence isn't a problem that can be tackled with just one strategy. Instead, it takes collaboration. That's why many local nonprofits, including The ACE Project and Future Healers, are now part of Safe Louisville.

The Safe Louisville plan is designed to complement the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Crime Reduction Strategic Plan released earlier this year.

Through the first seven months of 2025, criminal homicides are down 34%, the largest year-over-year drop at this point since 2018, according to Louisville Metro Police data. And the 64 homicides so far in 2025 is the lowest number through seven months since 2019. Kentucky State Sen. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, said there are other factors when it comes to safety that people aren't talking about.

"Sometimes that's making sure alleys have lights that they need ... or that our roads are fixed, so I think that this committee is going to look at all of these things to figure out what the mayor needs to be doing and the community needs to be doing in order to make a change in this community."

The goal of the commission is to come up with new strategies when it comes to policing and build a better connection with people in the community and LMPD.

"Hearing different perspectives and following the guidelines on those reforms, I think something wonderful can come out of this," said Angelia Johnson, co-president of Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together. "Maybe justice can be served for all in this community."

Below is a look at the full 24-person Community Safety Commission:

Community Organizations

Rose Smith, executive director of the ACE Project
Kungu Njuguna, policy strategist at the ACLU of Kentucky
Gary Friedman, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
Zenebia Law, vice president of programs at the Center for Women and Families
Rev. Dr. Angela Johnson, co-president of Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together (CLOUT)
David Lopez, advisory board member of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Brown, injury prevention manager at the University of Louisville Hospital J. David Richardson Trauma Center
Freddie Brown, vice president of diversity, inclusion, global perspective and district executive director at the YMCA of Greater Louisville

Community Representatives

David Grise, LMPD Division 1, retired federal prosecutor, diplomat and college professor
Mattie Jones, LMPD Division 2, civil rights leader
Madison Mobus, LMPD Division 3, substitute teacher at Jefferson County Public Schools
Keturah Herron, LMPD Division 4, Kentucky state senator for District 35
Jack Will, LMPD Division 5, Jefferson County League of Cities executive director
Scott Huber, LMPD Division 6, Thorntons customer service representative
Angei Varona, LMPD Division 7, social worker at Endeavors
Rene Brown, LMPD Division 8, CEO of RCB Health Corporation
Joni Jenkins, Home Rules City, senior advisor to U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey

Institution Representatives

Gerina Whethers, Jefferson County commonwealth's attorney with the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Mike O'Connell, Jefferson County attorney with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office
Amy Hannah, Louisville region trial branch manager fr the Department of Public Advocacy-Jefferson County Office
Randy White, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
Judge McKay Chauvin, Jefferson County Court administrator for the Jefferson County Court System
Barbara Shanklin, Louisville Metro Council, District 2
Misty Wright, executive director for community safety with the Louisville Mayor’s Office

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the creation of a 24-person Community Safety Commission aimed at curbing violence in the city. *(Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Government)*

A first meeting for the commission hasn't been set yet, at which point the members will set groundwork for how they'll move forward.

"We have been working on the policing issue since 2020, and to see this come to fruition is something we have worked hard for," Johnson said Thursday. "And we are just excited to be a part of it."

For more information on the commission, click here.

Brooks Houck's sister seeks permanent custody of child he shared with Crystal Rogers

Louisville judge tosses suit by ex-detective accused of threatening to kill officers