1 hour ago
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) says new technology is enabling officers to track down suspects more quickly and safely, especially as the department operates with fewer officers on the streets.
Police report that tools such as drones and license plate readers provide real-time information during investigations, helping officers make arrests with greater accuracy.
Officials highlighted that drones played a crucial role in the arrests of 18-year-old Jeremiah Haynes, 19-year-old Jamarion Shivers, and 18-year-old Erling Garcia. The suspects now face charges including theft, engaging in organized crime, and evading police.
Deputy Chief Emily McKinley explained that drone footage allowed officers to locate suspects and guide responding units directly to their exact positions.
She emphasized that this technology is becoming vital not only for solving crimes but also for enhancing officer safety. "Using this technology, the officer was able to direct other responding officers to where those suspects were. So the officers that are arriving are not blind to what's around them or their surroundings. They're not going to be surprised or shocked if they pull up on somebody. They're directed exactly where to go and who to look for. And they're able to get descriptions out quickly to officers who are responding," she said.
LMPD reports that carjackings have slightly decreased this year, dropping 16% from 19 incidents at this time last year to 16 this year.
However, thefts from vehicles have increased, with reports rising from 548 last year to 762 this year.
Officials also noted that license plate readers, including Flock cameras, assist officers in locating stolen vehicles, finding missing persons, and identifying vehicles potentially linked to crimes.
Deputy Chief McKinley added, "We're able to direct officers to a precise location of where a suspect vehicle or a missing person's vehicle or someone that is potentially involved in a crime was last seen or could possibly be, based on the recency of that hit on the Flock cameras."
She further explained that without this technology, officers would have much less guidance when responding and would often rely solely on general lookout alerts.
