As chair of the Criminal Justice committee, I too want to give thanks to Governor Jeff Landry. His commitment to provide resources for public safety is necessary and helpful in the state’s most important asset – the city of New Orleans. But I take serious exception with his description of the NOPD as “in shambles.”
Related: The People of New Orleans are the Difference
This outside view is an inaccurate description of the department. The NOPD’s staffing shortages are well documented. But the men and women of this department bravely serve our city daily. They do more with less with great attitudes and outstanding work ethic. They work tirelessly to keep us all safe.
And we really need a better understanding of what the governor has in mind. The citizens of the city need a clear sense of the role of this new troop Gov Landry proposes.
- When will they report to the city council’s criminal justice committee?
- How will they integrate into our city?
- To whom will they report?
- How do they coordinate their efforts with the NOPD to provide the best efficiencies and the most safety for the city?
- Will they report to NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick?
- What will the governance look like?
- Are they committed to constitutional policing?
- Will they abide by the consent decree?
An appearance before the Criminal Justice committee will help us all.
8 great questions, while I completely agree with you on the State Police issue. I don’t quite see the NOPD as being all it can be because it never was for the blacks of New Orleans. I do see progress and some change but to me the people should dictate how the police department should function for us, not the long standing practices that have failed us. As far as the consent decree goes it should stay until the people decide it is not needed. Without real grass roots citizens involvement in oversight in place a need for federal monitoring has to stay in place. I really want a trusting relationship between the NOPD and our citizens but like so many other things it’s just not working to benefit the least of US.
As someone who served the city as a police officer for 30 years, It frustrates me that we still don’t understand what is needed long term to reduce crime in our city.
It starts with the understanding that there are no short term solutions in solving something caused by long term social-ills.
I’ve learned, during my career, when a community improves, crime goes in the opposite direction. Anyone who ever studied criminal justice, understands that 90% of the public are law-abiding citizens. These are the objectives to be established to:
1. Build trust.
2. Ensure confidentiality of their reporting.
3. Ensure their protection.
This isn’t difficult. Let’s sit together and review the Lafitte and Iberville Housing crime reduction stats from 1980 through 1990.