Louisville mayor announces curfew beginning 9 p.m. tonight
The city of Louisville, Kentucky, agreed to pay $12 million to the family of Breonna Taylor and institute sweeping police reforms in a historic settlement of the family’s wrongful death lawsuit.
Mayor Greg Fischer, Taylor’s family and their attorneys announced the settlement at a joint news conference on Sept. 15. Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was killed in her home by police on March 13.
As part of the settlement, the city agreed to establish a housing credit program as an incentive for officers to live in the areas they serve; use social workers to provide support on certain police runs; and require commanders to review and approve search warrants before seeking judicial approval, among other changes.
“Justice for Breonna means that we will continue to save lives in her honor,” said Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother. “No amount of money accomplishes that, but the police reform measures that we were able to get passed as a part of this settlement mean so much more to my family, our community, and to Breonna’s legacy.”
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office confirmed the $12 million settlement is the highest-ever paid by the city. Family attorney Benjamin Crump called the payout “historic” and said he believed it is one of the largest amounts ever paid out for a Black woman killed by police in the US.
Mayor Fischer said the city is not admitting wrongdoing in the agreement.
“I cannot begin to imagine Ms. Palmer’s pain,” Fischer said. “And I am deeply, deeply sorry for Breonna’s death.”
