Today, District “C” Councilmember Kristin Palmer announced that she struck a deal with the French Quarter Management District and the City of New Orleans to continue a supplemental police patrol that is responsible for addressing violent crime and quality of life issues in the French Quarter.
Councilmember Palmer, in her role as representative of the French Quarter Economic Development District (FQEDD), was joined by members of the French Quarter Management District (FQMD) to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with the City after months of tough negotiations.
The CEA will reinstate 0.245% sales tax, known as the “Quarter for the Quarter,” to continue funding quality of life efforts in the French Quarter. French Quarter business owners will begin collecting the tax again on Friday, October 1, 2021.
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Violence in the French Quarter has been on the rise, as a volatile mix of alcohol, tourists, and locals has led to altercations that on numerous occasions escalate to gun violence and assault with a deadly weapon.
The Supplemental French Quarter Police Patrol Program has been effective at addressing violence in the French Quarter and allows officers in the understaffed NOPD to address violent crime in other parts of the city.
“The French Quarter is one of the most culturally important neighborhoods in the United States, but unfortunately it’s also one of the most dangerous," said Councilmember Palmer. "With businesses reopening from the pandemic, violent crime is a significant concern for residents and business owners in the Quarter. The Supplemental Police Patrol has been at risk of ending due to a lack of funding. I’m glad that we were able to broker a compromise between the French Quarter community and the City to continue programs that make the area safer."
The additional French Quarter police patrols were created in 2015 to enforce safety in one of New Orleans' most violent neighborhoods.
Councilmember Palmer led the charge to make sure the police patrols stay in place to protect the French Quarter by helping to pass the special election ballot in April 2021 that allowed voters to tax themselves to fund extra police patrol and other public safety programs in the French Quarter. She also led negotiations between French Quarter property owners and the City to make sure the Police Patrol remains active.
“We appreciate Councilmember Palmer for both assuring that this special sales tax was brought back to the voters and protecting the residents, employees, and businesses of the French Quarter by ensuring that the administration and oversight of this tax remain in the hands of the people who live and work in the French Quarter," said Christian Pendleton, French Quarter Management District Board Chair.
“The French Quarter Business Association is pleased that the French Quarter Management District and the Administration could come to agreeable terms to manage the funds of the French Quarter Economic Development District security sales tax," said Tony Viloria, French Quarter Business Association Board President.
"Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer has been a true ally to the French Quarter during the negotiation process, for which we commend her," Viloria continued. "The FQBA has been involved in the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement process since October 2020. We are very satisfied that the conditions will safeguard the employees and visitors of the French Quarter.”