LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than a dozen churches in Louisville are working together to revive program that's been lost for over a decade to help Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) solve crime in their community.
Donnie Morris Sr. assembled 20 churches for the new C.A.R.E. program, which stands for Criminal Activity Reporting Effort. Through the partnership, churches agreed to collect and share anonymous tips with LMPD in the hopes of stopping crime.
"We've done this before," Morris said. "We can assure you that you will not be involved, but we need you to report what you know."
A member of a participating church, Gospel Missionary Baptist, echoed Morris' sentiment.
"It's not snitching anymore," Prophetess Nikky said. "It's coming with the facts."
Bishop Dennis Lyons promoted the effort at his usual community meeting on Friday, which LMPD officers frequently attend. He credited the tip box on the church for driving crime away from the area.
"You'll see now," he explained. "It has become a place that is really good for the business and the community. Haven't had a murder at 34th and Vermont in probably around 15 years."
C.A.R.E. originally started in 2006, announced side-by-side with the LMPD chief at the time, Robert White, as shown in a copy of The Louisville Defender.
Morris had the idea after seeing an increase in crime. Back in 2006, 53 homicides happened in Louisville. Less than halfway through 2024, the city has already seen 45 homicides. However, last year's deadly shooting at Chickasaw Park is the main reason he's reviving C.A.R.E. now.
Despite a crowd of hundreds in the park the night two people died after being shot, nobody has come forward with information to solve the case.
Morris said churches taking tips and forwarding them anonymously to police helped LMPD in the past. He has faith those the program will bring in more tips, and in turn, drive down crime in the community.
"Cold cases were solved, [police] told me they shut down five meth labs, and the calls went up about 500 a month," he said.
If you'd like to contact Morris for more information about the program, or how you can help, click here to send him an email.
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