LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins shared their plan to ease the publics concerns over the city's reenforced 1983 mask ban.
According to the mayor, the ban was eased during COVID when most residents were wearing masks.
Recently, LMPD said they have seen a rise in gun violence with residents wearing masks to conceal their identity. This includes a deadly shooting in late September outside a local high school.
Now, officials are sharing exemptions for those who still wish to wear a mask.
"We're working to prevent violent crime and gang activity across our city and there is nothing more urgent than this work," Mayor Greenberg said.
According to the Mayor, one of the leading causes of death in Louisville is gun violence. In order to help solve these crimes, officials believe this reenforced ordinance will help.
"As promised, we are providing possible amendments to the city’s mask ordinance to help address the increase of people wearing masks to conceal their identities while committing violent crimes,” Greenberg said.
Some of the "common-sense" exemptions to the ban are:
- Protection of health and indoor mask wearing
- Anyone under the age of 14 or over the age of 60
- Religious reasons
- Holidays, celebrations, and situations where masks are customarily worn, like Halloween
Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins says ski masks in particular are what officials will be looking out for.
"These are the masks ideal to use to conceal someone's identity. The issue is the rise in crime because of the access, ability, to easily conceal who they are," she said. "The millions of taxpayer dollars that have been used towards equipment, cameras, and other technology to help identify suspects is no use if the full identity of the criminal recorded is blocked by a ski mask."
It is important to note, these proposed amendments would ensure officers cannot stop or detain someone solely for wearing a mask in an outdoor space.
"Let me be clear, this ordinance only applies to outdoor mask wearing, and we are proposing an amendment to protect yourself," Greenberg said.
Metro Council is holding a public safety meeting on Wednesday, October 30, at 5 p.m.
Residents who have questions or concerns are encouraged to attend. It will be at the Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Avenue.
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