LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nearly three weeks after the city began enforcing a decades-old mask ordinance, Louisville Metro Council’s Public Safety Committee are planning a special meeting to discuss it.
The meeting will be held at the Newburg Community Center on Oct. 30 at 5 p.m.
According to the committee, the meeting will feature a brief presentation from Mayor Craig Greenberg’s administration and LMPD on why the mask ordinance is being enforced.
City officials have eyed the ordinance as a way to curb gun violence.
Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, District 1 and committee chair, said it’s about finding solutions as violent crime has increased across the city.
“We’re all in this together, and we want to hear feedback on how we can move the community forward in a positive and effective way,” Hawkins said in a statement.
They are urging the Louisville community to attend the meeting to discuss not only the ordinance but public safety solutions.
“We’ll also be providing childcare during the meeting so parents can attend and share their comments,” Hawkins said.
If you would like to speak, you must sign up in person at the Newburg Community Center beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 30. The signups are open for an hour and will close promptly at 5:30 p.m. Speaks will have up to three minutes to address the committee.
If you can’t attend, you can send comments by clicking here. The form will close on Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.
What is the mask ordinance?
The ordinance says: “No person shall, while wearing any mask whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter, be or appear in any public place within Jefferson County.”
The penalty for violating the ordinance is a fine up to $100, up to 50 days in jail, or both.
It does contain some exceptions already built in, including if the person is under the age of 16. However, Mayor Craig Greenberg said it will be updated to account for COVID-19.
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