Pepper spray has a long and varied history in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. The earliest references to pepper spray date back to the 1800s when it was used as a traditionalrant by law enforcement officers. Today, pepper spray is still an effective tool for protection from individuals or groups who may be dangerous or hostile. In 1891, John Witherspoon authored a book entitled "The Use of Pepper Spray." The book detailed the use of pepper spray as a personal defense tool against attackers. In 1951, the United States military began using pepper spray as part of their standard infantry weaponry. Today, pepper spray is still used by law enforcement officers in many different ways around the world. In Jeffersontown, KY, it is often used in self-defense situations as well as during riots and protests.

Pepper spray is an effective means of subduing people who are attempting to resist arrest or disrupt a police officer's performance of duty. It is especially useful when used in situations where there is potential for injury or death. Pepper spray can also be used in self-defense if the user believes that they are being attacked. In most cases, pepper spray should only be used when it is absolutely necessary and under the circumstances specific to the situation.

Jeffersontown is home to one of the oldest pepper spray programs in the United States. The program was started by a law enforcement officer in Jeffersontown, Kentucky in 1975.

Jeffersontown is a small town in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,814 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Louisville metropolitan area. The Jeffersontown post office was established on October 12, 1836, by General David Jeffers and his family. The town name may be from Cherokee words "hajjimi" meaning "to lead one's horse to water", referring to the creek that borders the town. The first settler in what would become Jeffersontown was James Peebles who arrived in 1830 from Kentucky. He built a log cabin on present day North Main Street and named it Peeblesville after himself and his brother John Peebles. In 1837, another pioneer named Samuel Gregg settled in what becameJeffersontown with his family and they named their settlement Greggstown after him too. In 1849, Doctor George Witty moved to Jeffersonton from Greensburg, Pennsylvania and founded an early hospital there which would become known as Witty Hospital today.Witty Hospitalfoundation website In 1850 Dr Witty married Miss Rachel Carrington of Bardstown who also brought a new set of settlers to the community including her parents Elijah Carrington (1795-1871) and Nancy Prentice (1801-1868). They renamed their communityCarringtontown after them.Adams County courthouse online A post office called Jefferson was established at this location on February 2nd, 1851 under the name of Springfield but it closed November 30th of that year due to lack of business. Jefferson County Courthouse online On November 17th 1860 two men by the name of Stephenson came into Jefferson Township about four miles east of where Jefferson now stands with intentions of founding a county seat for Hardin County but no one ever heard back from them again so they abandoned their idea and continued west until they reached Lebanon Junction on December 10th where they took up residence.(Lebanon Junction Railroad Museum)
Later that year on January 7th 1861 William Hanks purchased 5 acres north side of Old US Highway 23 near present day Mount Vernon for $650 plus $5 per acre in gold nuggets he had mined nearby during the American Civil War giving birth to Hanks Hill which still stands today.