On September 26, members of the Kentucky Republican Party led by Rep. Jared Bauman (R- Louisville), along with representatives from the KY Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), proposed new legislation they are referring to as the Safer Kentucky Act. The Louisville Urban League opposes this proposal because it is vengeful, reactionary, and, frankly, just bad policy. The legislation is a wishlist of antiquated, debunked, and problematic ideas regarding criminal justice: criminalizing poverty and addiction, deepening disparities in our judicial system, and simply seeking to throw people away.

Although the problems identified are real, these short-sighted tactics have been proven to fail, will cause more harm to impacted communities, and will do nothing to address the root causes of crime in the Louisville community, like poverty, trauma, and housing affordability. This proposed legislation is political red meat full of dog whistles and coded language manipulatively targeting the uninformed while masquerading as substantive change.

Want to end street camping? Fund more affordable housing and expand resources for our houseless neighbors. Want to end the scourge of addiction and fentanyl-related deaths? Fund more substance abuse treatment facilities and improve access to mental health care. Want to curb robbery? Fund more youth services and job training programs, increase salaries, and improve the working conditions of licensed social workers. The answer to every problem is not stiffer penalties, more police, and longer sentences. These aren’t the answers to any problem. This cowardly attempt to pander to voter fears is pathetic, poorly reasoned, and self-serving,

A safer Kentucky is on the horizon; the people of Kentucky will have it no other way. But a safer Kentucky prioritizes opportunity over obstruction, freedom over fear, and people over penalties. A safer Kentucky requires smarter, more compassionate, and more courageous leadership. If lawmakers want to make Kentucky safer, they should look to A Path Forward, where the Louisville Urban League and experienced partners have outlined a well-researched, evidence-based plan to increase affordable housing, improve education for students K-12, and create 500 businesses that employ Louisville citizens. There is a blueprint for moving forward if we are willing to invest.

The challenges we face are complex but not insurmountable. We can do hard things without hurting more people if we are willing to listen, think, and invest–tasks that will be harder for some than others but absolutely possible for all.

About the Louisville Urban League
The Louisville Urban League assists African Americans and those at the margins in attaining social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. For more information, go to lul.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter  (@louisvilleUL), or Instagram (@louisville_ul).