Safer Kentucky Act gives law enforcement more tools to combat violent crime

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The man LMPD believes is responsible for an attempted carjacking at the Walmart in the Outer Loop is expected to face charges after a chase ended in a police shootout.

“This type of behavior will simply not be tolerated,” said LMPD Acting Chief Paul Humphrey.

Interim Chief Paul Humphrey stressed that House Bill 5 could serve as a tool for law enforcement in incidents like this one.

“For violent crimes, there will be a mandatory sentence of 85%,” Humphrey said.

The new changes, which came into effect last month, will result in “violent offenders” being forced to spend the majority of their sentences in prison and being stripped of any criminal credit they have earned.

A person is classified as a “violent offender” due to numerous crimes, including car theft.

“Be warned, he tried to steal a woman’s car,” an LMPD officer said over the radio.

The latest numbers from the FBI's Crime Data Explorer provide an overview of violent crime in the city and across the state.

There were 8,419 cases of violent crime in Kentucky in 2022. The LMPD reported 3,601 cases, or about 42.8% of all violent crimes in the state.

Nationwide, perpetrators are getting younger and younger: 20- to 29-year-olds accounted for 28% of all violent criminals between 2018 and 2022.

The LMPD states that it intends to take full advantage of the Safer Kentucky Act.

“We plan to pursue the charges to the fullest extent possible under the law and ensure that the suspect remains in prison until he learns to cooperate and be a valuable member of society.”

Humphrey did not say what official charges would be brought against the suspect in Wednesday's incident.

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