spot_imgspot_img

Louisville mayor says city will bring back mask ban after recent shooting

(The Center Square) – Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg told reporters the city will begin to re-enforce a more than 40-year-old ordinance that bans the wearing of masks in public places.

The move, which Greenberg revealed during his weekly press briefing, comes just days after a shooting that took place outside a high school football game. The alleged perpetrators were wearing surgical masks in the incident Sunday evening that injured two teenagers, one critically, at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in the southwestern part of the city.

Greenberg said the decision to bring back enforcing the ban passed in 1983 happened after he spoke with Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Paul Humphrey regarding steps the city could take while it continues to seek additional help from Frankfort and Washington regarding gun violence. The mask ban had been suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to LMPD data, there have been 291 non-fatal criminal shootings pending investigation to date this year. That’s down 7% over the same period from 2023 and a 42% decline from the 501 the city reported through the same period in 2021. However, in late August, Louisville Public Media reported that murder cases were up on a year-over-year basis.

“This is not an isolated incident,” the mayor said. “LMPD officers see time and time again when assailants, when trigger pullers, are wearing masks to conceal their identity. Shooters are exploiting protections that were put in place during COVID.”

While running for office in 2022, Greenberg was the target of a shooting at his campaign office. He was not injured in the attack, although a bullet grazed his sweater. The assailant, Quintez Brown, pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case earlier this year. He’s scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

The mayor said his office will begin “immediately” to work with Metro Council members to amend the current ordinance to include exemptions for people who need to wear masks in public for health reasons. He added he has “an incredible sense of urgency” to combat gun violence in the community by any means available to the city.

“Let’s be clear, gun violence is a public health emergency that we are dealing with in our city,” Greenberg said. “Over 100 individuals already this year have been killed by gun violence. This is a public health emergency that we must deal with.”

DON’T MISS OUT

Be the first to know about the latest news, giveaways, events, and updates from The Black Chronicle!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

spot_imgspot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

A lot of polls, not a lot of change in Harris v. Trump

(The Center Square) – Four days later and with...

Trump rises in Virginia poll as election nears, still lags Harris

(The Center Square) — Former President Donald Trump has...

Next president must address U.S. debt, Moody’s warns

A credit rating agency's report on the upcoming presidential...

Former Morning View Dairy owners agree to pay $70K for pollution fish kill

(The Center Square) – The former owners and operators...

Trial date set in WSDOT gas price whistleblower lawsuit

(The Center Square) – A trial date has been...

More like this
Related

A lot of polls, not a lot of change in Harris v. Trump

(The Center Square) – Four days later and with...

Louisiana water commission hears requests for extensions, funding for projects

(The Center Square) − At the latest Water Sector...

Judge denies Illinois’ motion to hold transit carry ban ruling pending appeal

(The Center Square) – A federal judge has denied...

Trump rises in Virginia poll as election nears, still lags Harris

(The Center Square) — Former President Donald Trump has...