Louisville Metro Police have lifted some of the restrictions that were put in place to crack down on Derby weekend cruising along West Broadway.Assistant Chief Philip Turner says motorists will no longer need a permit for access to the route, and police won't divert traffic unless there's a heavy backup of vehicles."(Such as) traffic blocked up for several blocks, and then creating traffic congestion on the major through streets... and then (police will be) putting all those things together and making a judgement. All of the officers that are posted onBroadway will be feeding information into their supervisors," Turner said.Police stepped up enforcement of the city's ban on cruising in response to a rise in violent crime along the route in 2005.Meanwhile, police say they'll have their usual traffic and security plans in place for the Churchill Downs area on Oaks and Derby Days.More information about the Kentucky Derby weekend traffic and security details can be found here.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.
