Council to award $2,000 to Morgan's Mission; police chief announces vests and National Night Out plans

Shepherdsville City Council members agreed in principle to provide $2,000 in city funding to Morgan's Mission to support its August fentanyl-awareness and remembrance event and to help the nonprofit buy an event tent. Laura (last name not stated), speaking for Morgan's Mission, described the group's annual August event (this year scheduled for Aug. 17) and said it typically attracts about 25 resource tables from local service providers. "These resource tables are anyone from, Robert Alexander Center, Isaiah House, to counseling for, angel parents that need counseling," Laura said. She said the group distributes informational postcards, wristbands and pens at the event and that the tent would make the group more visible at outreach events. Council members said they supported funding the event and asked staff to document the grant in September. The mayor (not named in the transcript) said the council would provide a printed and a check to the organization at a later meeting. Police Chief Steve reported two items for public-safety outreach: he thanked the Kentucky Attorney General's office for distributing ballistic panels and said the department would receive ballistic helmets at no cost the next day. "They've provided us with 25 sets of panels, which is 50 panels," Chief Steve said, noting the equipment would not come out of the police budget. He also promoted National Night Out on Aug. 5 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., saying the event would gather police, fire, EMS, the jail and prosecutors at the city park and include giveaways such as backpacks of school supplies and vendor contributions. Chief Steve also described the newly formed Shepherdsville Police Foundation, which he said will focus on equipment, officer wellness, community involvement and training; he encouraged citizens and businesses to support the foundation via donations. Ending: The council approved the $2,000 allocation in concept, with formal documentation to follow in September; the police department asked residents to attend National Night Out and noted new protective equipment arriving for officers.