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.
Rapper Donnie "McFly" Mattingly, 36, was riddled with bullets a day before the victim's twins' 6th birthday celebration, but a year and a half later, the killer remains free. His father said he believes someone saw or knows something that could help police capture the shooter.
"It's not snitching when you tell that someone is killing someone," he said. "If someone in your family gets hurt or killed you'd want to know who did it."
Several grieving parents like the elder Mattingly are left without answers as dozens of homicides last year and this year remain unsolved. Police blame a lack of cooperation.
Residents previously have told police about this anti-snitch poster, which calls Louisville a "Rat City," Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said in an email Wednesday.
"Obviously we'd disagree with its premise and just as we appreciate the tip that this sign was posted, we appreciate any and all tips that could help us solve crimes and help us empower communities to overcome violent crime," Smiley said. "Those tips can be submitted anonymously at 574-LMPD."