LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey announced Tuesday that the city is experiencing a notable decrease in homicides and nonfatal shootings, attributing the drop to increased community engagement and proactive policing strategies.
In a live interview on WDRB in the Morning, Humphrey highlighted a shift in how officers are interacting with residents, focusing more on conversations and less on reactive enforcement. By spending more time in neighborhoods and directly asking residents what they need, officers are uncovering critical issues that might otherwise go unreported.
“We just had a situation where officers were going door to door, asking residents what they need,” Humphrey said. “It turned into getting rid of a problem dope house that had been plaguing that neighborhood for months that we didn’t know about. Asking what we can do launched an investigation that got dangerous people off the street.”
According to data released by LMPD, Louisville has recorded 31 criminal homicides so far in 2025. That figure marks a substantial decline from the 45 recorded during the same period in 2024, and 55 in 2023. It’s the lowest number at this point in the year since 2020.
Humphrey emphasized that the department’s renewed focus on building trust with the public has created opportunities for officers to address problems before they escalate into violence. “These conversations are giving our officers the chance to do the police work necessary to disrupt crime before it happens,” he said.
In addition to crime prevention, Humphrey said LMPD is intensifying recruitment efforts to ensure there are enough officers to maintain a visible and supportive presence in local neighborhoods.
“We’re working on bringing more officers in, not just to fill vacancies, but to make sure we have the capacity to keep doing this kind of community-focused work,” he said.
The department’s efforts reflect a broader trend in law enforcement that emphasizes collaboration with residents to improve safety and strengthen relationships.
As Louisville sees progress in its fight against violent crime, city officials hope that continued investment in community engagement and officer presence will help sustain the momentum.
