LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It was a violent night across the city Tuesday night.
"I just think it's terrible that these kids, it's nothing but babies killing babies because that's all they are," Patricia Lusco said.
Lusco lives a few blocks away from where a juvenile was fatally shot on Garland Avenue in the Chickasaw neighborhood.
Then another person was found shot in the Shawnee area near the corner of West Market Street and Amy Avenue. Police said they are expected to survive.
And just minutes before, a man was shot in Okolona on Versailles Lane, and later died at the hospital.
An hour later, Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) responded to a shooting in Portland that left a man in grave condition.
"We need to get these kids off the streets and try to get them into something, and you know, show them these guns [aren't] where it's at," Lusco said.
Combating the city's violence was part of the discussion at a Metro Council meeting on Wednesday that focused on LMPD's $242 million dollar budget.
LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said the department's $900,000 ShotSpotter technology is helping officers track crime in a 12 square mile radius and she wants to expand it.
"To look at our six square miles, I had a conversation with Shotspotter as it relates to that and also see, but explore other technology that is out there as well," Gwinn-Villaroel said.
Amid a tighter budget this year, the chief said the department needs more resources.
"The helicopter is such a great source for all of the units within LMPD to help fight crime and we're doing the work and it is time for us to get a helicopter," said Gwinn-Villaroel.
Despite the violence, the chief said she has seen improvement between the community and officers.
"I'm happy to say that we have better community relationships that are now calling 911 again," She said.
Gwinn-Villaroel said LMPD will continue to invest in initiatives like 'Meet the Beat' so the community can get to know LMPD officers better.
"Going to the Kroger sites within all the divisions that is truth and transformation at it's best, because we're meeting the community and they're able to ask any questions," said Gwinn-Villaroel.
The chief and neighbors both focused on ways to reduce the violence and prevent lives from being taken away so soon.
"Summer hasn't even set in good so just think what's gonna happen when summer do set in," Lusco said.
Louisville metro council will vote on the 2024 & 2025 fiscal year budget on Thursday, June 20.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.