LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A community meeting in the Highlands with District 8 Councilman Ben Reno-Weber came one week after a fatal double shooting took place in the 900 block of Baxter Avenue.
"The fact that it could happen like that so close to us, when it's in your own backyard you think more about it," said Greg Zahradnik, a Tyler Park resident of 20 years, said.
Reno-Weber assured his constituents that in the next two weeks, he'll announce new safety provisions directly related to the nightlife scene on Bardstown Road.
"This is, however, not the first time that we are hearing these issues and we have been working really hard around how do we invest in the kinds of resources that we need to have as the premiere entertainment district in the city," Reno-Weber said.
Reno-Weber said he's working with the Louisville Metro Police, Alcoholic Beverage Control of Louisville, and Mayor Craig Greenberg in initiatives "directly related to the entertainment corridor along Bardstown Road."
He confirmed there has been an expansion of patrols in that area and it will continue through September.
The councilman said he's addressing tailgating in the Highlands. He said he installed a camera in the back parking lot of the Jefferson County Traditional Middle School that LMPD will start to give more nuisance tickets to tailgaters.
"He did bring some piece of mind that we're not going to overreact but we're also not going to underreact," Zahradnik said.
Montay Wade, 29, and Michael Bachelor Jr., 20, were shot to death in the early morning of Aug. 11 in the area known for its busy nightlife scene.
Richie Williams, 37, was charged with the murder of Wade and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
"I think we've closed businesses in other areas of the city, and some of the people now are coming to different areas and sometimes they bring that hatred with them," Zahradnik said. He said the best way to curb violence in a bustling area is to "have people out there who care" about the businesses.
He added that these issues are likely a part of a nationwide trend of gun violence.
“They used to solve problems by fighting with fists and you could go home the next day, talk about it or think about it," Zahradnik said. "But when you pull out the gun, it really makes a big difference.
► Contact reporter Alexandra Goldberg at agoldberg@whas11.com, X or Instagram.
►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, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
RELATED VIDEO