LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) – U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is highlighting Louisville in his effort to reduce crime.
The AG spoke to law enforcement Tuesday morning describing efforts to combat violent crime and opioid abuse.
The nation’s chief law enforcement officer took no questions after delivering an address in which he spoke of a surge of DEA investigators targeting our region for healthcare related opioid fraud.
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General Sessions also described the Louisville murder rate as having doubled from just a couple of years ago as violent crime increased in America by 7 percent.
He suggested a locally designed Project Safe Neighborhoods style strategy was needed and complimented the program called Louisville Metro Intel which is a cooperative effort between Louisville police and FBI.
The battle against fentanyl and heroin was also a primary focus of the address to a group of 70 or so law enforcement officials.
“So, I’ve assigned experienced prosecutors in opioid hot-spot districts to focus solely on investigating and prosecuting opioid-related healthcare fraud. We believe if we can stop addiction from starting, that is the best thing we can do. I’ve sent prosecutors to where I think they are needed, including Kentucky,” Sessions said. “And in November, reorganized its field divisions for the first time in nearly 20 years, the Louisville field office is now upgraded to be the Louisville field division, to oversee Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee where some of the biggest problems lie.”