Councilwoman says Algonquin Pool safe after gunfire incident, but new rules may be needed

Yahoo

26-05-2025

The Louisville Metro Council member who represents the area around Algonquin Park said a newly renovated pool remains a safe place for the community after shots were heard in the area just as an opening day event was wrapping up May 24.
Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins said she did not hear any shots, probably because of all the other noises from the pool area, but she did see people dispersing.
"LMPD was here to make sure everybody was safe, and everybody was safe," she told reporters during a media availability at the pool on May 26.
No injuries have been reported from the shooting. A Louisville Metro Police spokesperson previously said officers were dispatched to a field near West Gaulbert Avenue and Catalpa Street around 4:55 p.m. on a report of shots fired. Officers searched the area, but did not find anyone down from gunshot wounds.
Algonquin Pool, which had been closed for about two years for repairs and the addition of several new amenities for visitors, reopened for the first time just hours before the shooting. The pool was scheduled to close that day at 5 p.m.
As swimmers entered the pool grounds May 26, Louisville Metro Police officers were patrolling the park. In a previous statement, LMPD spokesperson Matt Sanders said the department plans to maintain a "strong, visible presence" this summer in Algonquin Park and other city parks to ensure recreational areas are safe for visitors.
Hawkins said she wanted to "clear the air" for those concerned about their personal safety at Algonquin Pool following the shooting May 24.
"Everybody that came inside this pool felt safe," she said.
Nevertheless, Hawkins said she is considering recommending some new rules to city officials, such as requiring pool visitors to store their belongings in clear bags, and restricting access to children who are not accompanied by an adult, similar to what Kentucky Kingdom enforces.
"We had a lot of small children in (the pool area) that were left alone," Hawkins said. "They have to be accompanied by an adult. They can not be accompanied by another child."
"They're some things that we did very well (May 24)," Hawkins continued. "We kept everybody safe, right? But there are also some small things, small adjustments that we're going to work on moving forward. We're going to sit down with some community members, Metro Parks (officials), because I want to be clear, even though I fought to try to get this pool here, this is Metro Parks' pool. This is a community pool."
Ed Robinson, founder of Algonquin Community United, and Desmond Smith, who represents the Algonquin neighborhood on the West End Opportunity Partnership board, are among the community members seeking to promote the new pool as a safe, enjoyable space for neighbors.
In an interview with The Courier Journal, Robinson said he was disappointed about how the shooting disrupted what was otherwise a happy day for residents, but he doesn't think the incident takes away from the progress he sees in community efforts to deter crime.
"For the most part in this area, kids do a pretty good job," he said.
Smith said he doesn't want neighbors to get distressed about the shooting.
"Come down and enjoy (Algonquin Park) for what it is, like you do at all the other parks," he said. "It's big enough and nice enough to enjoy."
A few hours after the May 24 shooting, LMPD officials posted a security camera image of a suspect on social media and asked for public assistance with identification. No arrests in relation to the shooting have been reported by LMPD as of May 26.
Anyone with information about the shooting can contact LMPD at 502-574-5673 or via the anonymous tip line.
Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at [e-mail] or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Algonquin Pool safe to use after shots fired Louisville councilor says