Working Together to Improve Safety in the Triangle

Published on October 31, 2026

"Anytime you're combining pedestrians, alcohol, and vehicles, there are potential issues." – Sergeant Fennelly

From patrol officers on the streets to the Office of the Police Chief, the “Triangle” has drawn a lot of attention from LKPD this fall. For generations, the 14th St. Corridor between Tennessee and Ohio has attracted hundreds of people on ordinary days and even thousands during major celebrations.

In September, LKPD began its Fall Safety Initiative, which put extra officers in the area, mainly on foot, to prevent harm and provide education. During that time, officers have seen everything imaginable. From a student who was found sleeping on a couch in the wrong house, to window peepers, streakers, and burglars, nothing surprises them anymore.

Experts involved believe pedestrian and vehicle traffic has grown beyond the area’s original design. LKPD leaders are now working with the city’s traffic engineers to try to help find a more sustainable solution. 

"The problem is the amount of pedestrian traffic and the lack of pedestrian safety controls," says Sergeant Drew Fennelly. "The danger that causes, in combination with it being nighttime, having intoxicated people, and potentially intoxicated drivers, creates unsafe conditions."

Officers see long lines overflow from sidewalks into the streets along with pedestrians trying to navigate around the crowd. Add in limited lighting, steep hills that create blind spots, and rideshare vehicles frequently pulling over to drop off passengers, and it’s an injury waiting to happen. 

Sergeant Fennelly notes. "Over the years we've seen people hit by vehicles, killed by vehicles, and it's just a situation that needs some addressing," notes Fennelly.

While officers are there to enforce laws, Major Hayden Fowler says the objective of the special patrol is to deter crime. “Officers are tasked with building a rapport, coaching people on how to remain vigilant and safe, and typically lean on educating rather than issuing citations or making arrests,” Fowler says. 

By combining active officer outreach with long-term engineering solutions—such as improved street lighting, adjusted traffic controls, and enhanced pedestrian crosswalks—the collaborating team aims to permanently reduce risks in the area and preserve a safe nightlife environment.