LMPD Chief Steve Conrad and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced several changes within the police department Friday.

The plan comes amid a spike in homicides and violent crime in Louisville. Police say homicides are up 55 percent in 2016 compared to the same time last year.

"I believe that this reorganization will allow us to more efficiently and effectively address problems in our community," Chief Conrad said.

The changes will include a new Community Services Division. Through a grant, the department will hire 10 news officers to help bridge the gap between the public and police.

A poster on poles in western Louisville threatens tipsters who might want to call police, "Snitches end up in Ditches."

It's an old saying heard in rap songs, graffitied on public signs across the nation, and emblazoned on ball caps and T-shirts, but it hits a sore spot in Louisville during a time when shootings and killings are spiking and many cases remain unsolved.

"It's not funny. It hurts me," said Donald Mattingly Sr., whose son was slain last year.

Taco Bell has launched an investigation after five LMPD officers were allegedly denied service at one of its restaurants in Louisville.

According to Fraternal Order of Police President Dave Mutchler, five uniformed LMPD officers working the state fair stopped at the Taco Bell on Preston Hwy. and Phillips Lane around lunchtime on Aug. 18. That's when one man behind the counter reportedly walked away saying, "I'm not taking this order."

A man is dead after being shot by Louisville Metro Police in southwest Louisville.

Chief Steve Conrad says three officers were responding to a domestic dispute at an apartment on Broadleaf Drive about 1:30 a.m. Monday. That's off Cane Run Road near Crums Lane.

Conrad says the man came out of the apartment armed with a knife and what he called "another edged weapon" that may have been a tree saw or a machete.

Officers told him to drop his weapons, but instead, the man allegedly charged the officers. Chief Conrad says two officers shot the man to protect their lives. The man died at the scene.

A Louisville Metro Police officer was forced to testify in a robbery and assault trial on Thursday about several controversial Facebook posts he shared in the wake of protests following police shootings of two black men.

Officer Ryan Scanlan was specifically asked by a defense attorney about a meme he shared picturing a white police officer leaning against his cruiser that said: "If we really wanted you dead all we'd have to do is stop patrolling your neighborhoods. .... And wait."

What happened in Dallas, Texas on Thursday has led to temporary changes with LMPD.

Right now, officers being told to double up and travel in twos.

2nd Division officers Christopher Priel and Clinton Brake hit the streets with heavy hearts on Friday.

"It's tough to see your brothers and sister, whether it's in Dallas or whether it's here in Louisville, it's tough to see them go through that," Brake said.

Police across the country and here in Kentuckiana are grieving after five Dallas police officers were ambushed and killed Thursday. And it is why Priel and Brake are riding the beat together for now.