I was able to drive the neighborhood yesterday evening around 6PM, and drove specifically down Fincastle Rd. three times. I was actually off on where I thought this subdivision was when I looked on a map, I definitely consider this area Camp Taylor and I lived in this exact neighborhood (I was on the opposite side but still only a 1 minute drive from Fincastle Rd.) about 7 years ago. I also lived right near Iroquois Park for two years just a few years ago and frequented the park the entire time I lived within walking distance.
This is all JMO and local experience and knowledge:
Fincastle Rd. is a unique street for the neighborhood, most of the residences in Camp Taylor are single family without shared walls. Fincastle seems to be apartments or condos that are rented, but some may be personally owned. There were several families and kids/teens out walking and they seemed to be walking to places rather than just hanging out (like the park or convenient store). The vehicles were pretty standard, some expensive and newer/some damaged and older, but nothing extreme one way or the other.
Going towards Poplar Level, which is the way Andrea was supposedly walking, there is a sidewalk and street lights only on the left side. The street lights were spread out so that there would be patches of darkness between them when walking. The residences are close to the street though, so any exterior house lights would provide some mild light to the sidewalk as well. The street is entirely street-parking from what I could see and vehicles lined both sides up and down almost entirely.
I did not notice any shady or sketchy characters, or anyone who seemed to be loitering, on drugs, or looking for drugs. It seemed like a pretty nice/active street.
When I lived in Camp Taylor I felt perfectly safe walking around the area at night (reminder it was 7-8 years ago). One example would be when my cat got out and I would walk around after work and at night calling for him and looking for him. I felt comfortable doing this on my own and some neighbors would always offer to keep an eye out. One person called out to me aggressively from their window about "why are you on my property," but when I told them my cat was lost they offered to help as well. My neighbors were always looking out and would bring my packages in so they didn't get stolen. I really enjoyed that area.
Poplar Level Rd. is a different story somewhat. I would not have wanted to walk on Poplar Level at night. Not even that it's a dangerous area for crime or violence at all, but that it's a somewhat windy road with a high speed limit and several bars, and Louisville IMO has a lot of car accidents involving pedestrians. And as I said before, it is a main enough road that any and all types of characters could be driving down it.
As far as the Iroquois Park area that maybe being searched today, the residents in that area are generally a slightly lower income and the crime is slightly higher. When I lived over there I did not always feel safe walking around at night. I only went to the park after dark if I had my 80lb pit bull with me LOL. I would not feel comfortable jogging the loop even with another girl friend or two. Crime doesn't actually happen often in the park or on the loop anymore, in fact it's been years since I have heard of any, but you can look at the situation and know that it is not a smart idea to go in there alone.
The loop has street lights, but outside of the walkway (which also has a driving road adjoining it for much of the loop), it is pure pitch black wooded area. The park is vast and the houses are far away when you are on the walking paths and the loop of the park.
I have walked the loop so many times in daylight and it is always crowded, busy, and a beautiful walk. I have also gone off-trail to mushroom hunt. I have never seen any evidence of homeless persons or camps within the park. But it is huge and I have not covered anywhere near the whole area. A person could totally find space to camp out in there, but between the bugs, the heat, and the quiet darkness, I can't imagine Andrea ever doing it.
As a side note it reached 100 degrees in Louisville yesterday and it is projected to hit 98 degrees today. I hope the searches started early to avoid the mid-day heat and I hope wherever Andrea is that she is okay and safe.
