Metro Council is changing its mask ordinance that many people don't want at all

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A face covering controversy came face to face with the Louisville Metro Council on Wednesday as the city turned to an old ordinance to stop today’s crime.

At a special meeting of the Public Safety Committee, people for the first time publicly defended why masks should be allowed, without any question as to why anyone is wearing them.

“Our community doesn’t need a Band-Aid,” one woman whose brother was killed said during public comment. “We need healing, empowerment and real opportunities to break this cycle of violence.”

Several arguments focused on health concerns, enforcement logistics and where the city should focus its efforts. This comes as LMPD deals with another year plagued by violent crime.

“We cannot sit back and accept the status quo that has become in recent years,” Chief Paul Humphrey said.

Amendments were proposed to give new life to the ordinance, which was written in 1983 as a way to prevent members of the Ku Klux Klan from wearing their hoods while marching through the city.

Proposed revisions include exemptions for indoor masking, people under 14 or over 60, and religious face coverings.

It also places limits on enforcement.

“They’re not going to stop someone just because they’re wearing a mask,” said Deputy Mayor David Kaplan. “There must be some other reason why they stopped them.”

LMPD says a lack of enforcement has allowed criminals to conceal their identities, and believes enforcing the ordinance can reduce crime.

Critics of the regulation worry about its effectiveness.

“I don’t see what the consequences will be for the criminals because criminals will break the law anyway,” said a woman wearing a mask.

People also addressed the potential for abuse by law enforcement and the possibility of an increase in profiling if the ban were to remain in place.

“Exposing individuals to discriminatory practices is violence,” said another woman.

Chanelle Helm of Black Lives Matter Louisville believes enforcing the mask ban will not create change in the community.

“There are other public safety options we can take that involve the entire community,” Helm said. “We have yet to see its implementation.”

She said this means tackling the deeper problems of crime and inequality.

“We’re focusing on what the need really should be and how to properly enact legislation that meets the needs of everyone, rather than this small group of people,” Helm said.

City officials said Wednesday’s comments will be considered in further development.

“I think maybe we need to think about this a little harder and figure out if this is really the right path,” one woman said.

The amendments must be finalized and approved by the committee before being voted on by the entire council and ultimately signed into law by Mayor Greenberg.