Language in Louisville’s proposed emergency response plan, which would give the city the power to “commandeer private property” and “seize” buildings in a crisis, has given several of the city’s elected leaders pause.
The emergency ordinance, which was supposed to have gotten an up or down vote earlier this month, was instead tabled until April to deal with what one member called the measure’s “stark” language.
“I think any time you talk about government seizing private property — that’s not something I’m comfortable with,” Councilman Bob Muckle said last week.
In large part, the proposed ordinance is fairly straightforward.
It directs the mayor to declare a disaster emergency if the threat of severe damage, injury or loss of life is imminent as the result of a flood, fire, earthquake, storm, hazardous substance spill, civil disturbance, drought, blight or invasion, among other calamities.
It lays out a line of succession in city government should anyone become incapacitated, allows the city to shut down roads, compel an evacuation and establish a curfew.
Police Chief Bruce Goodman said he understands how some of the language raises “red flags,” including a section letting city officials “seize any food, clothing, water or medical supplies necessary to sustain displaced disaster victims.”
But he said the real-life examples of a temporary takeover of property during an emergency are mild.
“It can be as minor as using a piece of land to park emergency vehicles,” Goodman said.
