Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has addressed a letter to citizens in an effort to ease recent apprehensions over violence downtown.
The letter is dated for Monday April 7, 2014. It is divided into sections that each deal with a specific aspect of the city's plan to increase safety downtown and serve to reassure citizens.
In it, Mayor Fischer says the starting point for all conversation on this matter is that violence of any form will not be tolerated.
It outlines early warning systems, otherwise known as the 26 cameras slated for Waterfront Park, accountability and youth development.
Louisville resident Jeffrey Green thinks this is a good starting point.
"It could potentially cut down on some of the violence especially if there are other things for kids to do, after school programs, summer programs, we probably need more of those,"said Green.
Teen development could include extended hours at community centers and an earlier curfew.
"I think if we create more for the youth here, then we can really cut down on the violence and the crimes that they're committing," said Green.
Residents say if teens stay busy, they won't have time to get in trouble.
"I noticed they closed down the Portland boys and girls club down and the kids probably got to go there and have something to do and the government cutting back on things like that , I mean that's not helping any," said another resident.
In addition to the city's efforts, the mayor says the community also needs to help -- especially parents and guardians.
Green says he agrees.
"The most important thing is for parents to get involved. That's the key. Our young people today are misguided you know are very misguided and it's just a shame. I think more needs to be done to protect our youth but our youth, they need more discipline and they need to be taught the ways of life a little bit more," he told WDRB.
Green hopes the city can find the resources to put all of these ideas into action.
"Without kids we don't have a future so if they're somewhere committing crimes and going to jail and spending their life behind bars, they're only going to be institutionalized and that's just not good," he said.
Mayor Fischer says he'll talk financial details during a speech to Metro Council in May.