Technology pilot program | Louisville police looking to add drones to boost safety | Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Metro Police Department is getting new tools to combat crime.

Thursday morning, Mayor Craig Greenberg, members of Metro Council, and LMPD announced $100,000 in funding for a technology pilot program that will provide a drone for every LMPD division, as well as training for at least four officers at all eight divisions.

"Just like there is no one cause of crime, there is no one solution to crime, there's no one way to prevent crime. We need to use multiple strategies to prevent violent crime from happening in the first place," said Greenberg.

He said technology is now a critical part in the job of public safety. According to LMPD, these drones could be used to assist with the search for missing people, water rescues, to better see traffic collisions, address street racing and more.

"We don't want to misuse this technology. This technology is great. It's not a track and seek, it's not a surveillance type of thing. It's more of an intelligence gathering thing from our side. It gives us the tools to be able to identify what's going on," said Maj. Donald Boeckman.

While LMPD already has a helicopter and a few drones, officials said this pilot program will help equip all eight divisions with this type of technology and training.

At the initiative's announcement, District 14 Councilwoman Cindi Fowler said for years there have been issues with people riding dirt bikes and ATVs in areas not meant for that, including spaces like Riverview Park. She's hoping these drones can assist with preventing that activity.

"This is a city-wide issue affecting our streets and neighborhoods. Illegal use of off-road vehicles is causing property damage and taking innocent lives. In District 14 we've had several fatalities related to these vehicles. These drones will assist LMPD in quickly tracking dangerous situations, allowing officers to take appropriate enforcement action," said Fowler said in a news release.

LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said she's excited to see the city embracing technology.

"This is how we move our city forward and for us to have a continuous progressive department and that we're leading the way in public safety," she said.

According to this city, metro council provided $48,000 for the program through an ordinance appropriation, sponsored by Councilman Rick Blackwell of District 12 and Councilwoman Fowler. Greenberg said for pilot program cost for the training and the drones totals $100,000. He said the remainder of the funding is coming from LMPD's existing budget.