NOPD talks crime reduction, highlights partnership with local agencies
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Police Department is touting a significant drop in crime. According to the department’s own crime data, the city has seen a 24% overall decrease in crime.
For NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, the most important drop is in homicides, which are also being solved more often.
“New Orleans years ago was only in like the low and mid-twenties in solving crimes once they occurred. Today, we show a solve rate of 65%,” said Kirkpatrick.
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Mayor Latoya Cantrell says the reduction didn’t happen overnight, stating it began in 2022 when she’d do a roll call with officers to see where city officials could help.
“It took a very vigorous and hard fight to ensure the city of New Orleans got federal resources,” said Cantrell.
The NOPD also wanted to recognize its partnerships, including Troop NOLA, which Louisiana State Police Colonel Robert Hodges emphasized is not going anywhere.
“I think it’s great for the city of New Orleans and it shows not only the residents and visitors, but those who don’t want to follow the law, Troop NOLA in conjunction with the New Orleans Police Department will arrest them,” said Hodges.
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Although happy with the drop in crime, Kirkpatrick emphasizes that there’s still work to do.
“That even one victim of violent crime is too much. Those numbers, there is a person and a family behind those numbers. Someone is grieving and I never want us to forget that,” said Kirkpatrick.
City officials also added that the decrease in violent crime will hopefully attract more people to join the police department.
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