LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There is a new challenge taking place in the Highlands of Louisville, along with parts of Clifton and Crescent Hill.
Councilmembers Ben Reno-Weber (D-8), Andrew Owen (D-9) and Pat Mulvihill (D-10) are collaborating with Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) to introduce a "Fitbit incentive challenge" specifically for 5th Division officers.
The councilmembers have ordered 20 Fitbits for the officers, and they will each wear one to keep track of how many steps they walk during their shifts. The goal is to strengthen relationships between police and the community.
The prize? Every week, the officer with the most steps will be awarded a gift card or complimentary meal from a 5th Division restaurant.
"We're trying to have fun with it," Councilman Owen said.
On Wednesday, Owen told WHAS11 News it's about getting back to basics to increase safety. He says the thought is to increase face-to-face interactions in order to rebuild trust, so that when issues arise the community will be there to offer tips to police.
They're the kind of practices that slowed in 2020 with COVID and protests over racial injustice, but Owen hopes this can be the beginning of a healthier, more proactive presence.
"When they're out of their police cars, they're interacting more," Owen said. "[In 2020] we got to a place where the officers were like, 'I get out of my car, and I could get in trouble.' So everything became reactionary. I think we're back to a place where the morale is better, [and] they feel better supported."
But Owen acknowledges they still have a long way to go.
The councilmembers have divvied up more than $3,000 from their district offices to fund the weekly initiative.
“This challenge provides some fun incentives for officers to be out of their vehicles and walking the streets during their shifts," Reno-Weber said. "When officers are walking the streets and interacting with community members, everyone wins."
The officers will mainly be walking the routes on Bardstown Road, Frankfort Avenue and sections of Brownsboro Road.
“LMPD’s 5th Division is excited to take part in this opportunity," LMPD Maj. Jason Grissom said in a release. "Hopefully, we develop some positive relationships with our neighbors and wear some holes in our boots."
LMPD declined to interview Wednesday, instead saying they'd rather discuss the program after it's started -- which councilmembers expect to happen soon.
Aaron Givhan, president of the Highlands Commerce Guild, is a fan of the idea.
"One on one contact -- officers visiting in and out of businesses and taking a pulse of the community," Givhan said. "The only way you're going to know that is by being out there."
Members of the community can pitch in by donating a meal or a gift card by contacting Reno-Weber’s office at (502) 574-1108.
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