Somebody better take credit for these numbers. If they don’t, I will. Where’s the mayor? She needs a win these days, doesn’t she? Her approval rating is down. Her boo is on the brink of indictment. NOLA is even running articles anticipating who’ll succeed her when she’s finally out of office. For all she knows, this might be her last shot at adding something positive to her legacy. So do it, Teedy. Go on and get you some. The credit, that is.

Why is Crime Down?

Apparently, times have changed since last year. We are supposedly living in a safer city now. Murders are down 45%. Armed robberies are down 42%. Even carjackings are trending at 45% less. Imagine that. No more contemplating driving to Metairie to get gas or standing at a pump in the middle of the night looking over your shoulder. At this rate, you could even consider stopping at a red light after the sun goes down. Who should we thank for this? Troop NOLA? The new police chief? Climate change?

The above stats were brought to you by the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Yes, that would be the same Commission known for weaponizing data to serve its agenda. But it has the only easily accessible data-driven site in town. So…

But wait. Before we go too far, let’s consider Mel Gibson. He looms large in this. If life was a Lethal Weapon movie, then Troop NOLA would definitely be detective Martin Riggs, Mel Gibson’s character. Remember how in the first Lethal Weapon, Riggs saved a man from committing suicide by jumping off a building with him? Out on the streets, the Troop has shown similar reckless behavior. It’s as if all four Lethal Weapon movies have served as training videos for aspiring members.

Don’t think so? Google it. You’ll find articles about the Troop high-speed chasing suspects from uptown all the way to Mid-City or Lakeview if that’s what it takes. They’ll do it even if it involves endangering other people on the road or ending with the suspect crashing into a pole or fire hydrant. That type of scenario has played out at least five times under what is now known as Operation Clean House. How’s that for a crime-fighting message?

Who knows, though. Maybe that type of recklessness works. Reputations play a big role on the streets. And the Troop has certainly cast a shadow. They’ve let criminals know they’ll go above and beyond what the consent-decree-constrained NOPD can do to maintain law and order.

Related: Troop NOLA is Out of Control

But let’s not leave the chief out. Chief Kirkpatrick deserves some credit. She has done a good job of riding interim chief Michelle Woodfork’s wave. Crime was already trending down when Kirkpatrick stepped in. And she promptly proceeded to do hardly anything different than what Woodfork was already doing. So kudos to her for that. And now she is apparently a finalist to become the new police chief in Los Angeles. She is denying the reports.

It has been hot, though. Wouldn’t you agree? Step outside around noon and even the flies are somewhere chilling in the shade. Even sitting outside at night is a sweat-inducing event.

Rutgers recently did a study. The study linked increases in violent crime to climate change. Apparently, the hotter it gets, the more violent people become. But New Orleans can be a backward city. So maybe the heat and humidity have had the opposite effect. Maybe it’s just too hot for crime. Right now, even the trivial choice between relaxing in the AC and going outside to tell a neighbor to finally move their damn trash can is a simple one. The AC wins out.

Are the new criminals just soft?

It could be that maybe just maybe this new generation is starting to show their lower tolerance for heat. Maybe their softness is behind the downward crime trend. Yes, it’s doubtful. But no one is taking credit for these numbers, so we’re left to speculate.

Speaking of speculating, it must be asked again: where is the mayor? She’s just letting all this good press go unclaimed. This is not the time to lay low. This is the time to gloat. There should be press conferences, pats on the back, and atta girls. Maybe she can even commission Anne Breaud to take a picture of her spiking the football. Do it, Teedy. This could be your last shot. You have until the end of the week. If you don’t take the credit, I surely will.

2 thoughts on “Who’s Responsible for All This Low Crime?”
  1. The Silverback Society and other youth oriented programs are factors in the decline of crime. Prior to the pandemic, when we had grown to mentoring and training 8th graders for responsible adulthood at 16 elementary schools, juvenile crime was trending down. Then the pandemic cut us and other youth serving organizations off from exerting our positive influence on the development of adolescent minds and outlooks for the future, crime spiked among teens. Now that we and others who work for a better future by teaching young minds how to do better, the Silverback Society, back up to 11 schools, juvenile crime is trending down again.
    When 1/4 to 1/3 of children entering high schools are striving for better, high school cultures get better, and a critical mass of striving kids have impacts on their peers, friends, and youth in their families, they become the only change agents that can reach deep into places where we as adults can’t.
    No, criminals are not wimping out, we are growing fewer of them because caring adults who know how to do well have taken the time to mentor children who have no organic access to such adults.
    We don’t blame or give up on children for being ignorant of the principles and methods for making life better.
    We spend time to earn their trust and we teach! Adolescent minds are primed to learn (from people they trust).
    The Silverback Pledge: “I will live my life as though generations depend on me, and I will teach and encourage all of mine to do the same.”
    Silverback Ways of the World: (working with others for maximum effect)
    1. Give respect to get respect.
    2. Teach by example.
    3. Give your word only when you know you can keep it.
    4. Use your time to improve something.
    5. Treat everyone like you will need them tomorrow.
    6. Become an expert at something.
    7. Let your light shine for others.
    https://thesilverbackway.com/curriculum

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.