Mayor LaToya Cantrell has said some outrageous things in her first term, but “nothing stops a bullet like a job” has to be the dumbest yet. She said that during a press conference she called to talk about crime on the same day we learned only 35% of New Orleanians think the Crescent City is safe.
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“Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” That is patently false whether taken literally or metaphorically. You don’t need to be a physics major to understand why it makes no sense literally. It's common sense. It’s also common sense that Her Honor is trying to make the crime problem in New Orleans go away with a catchy phrase. It won’t, and it’s insulting to the people of the city to imply that it will.
There are both long term and short-term solutions to crime. Increasing the quality of education and, therefore, the opportunity to lead a productive life is certainly a part of the long-term equation. But it’s of little comfort to people hiding behind their doors while thugs pull on their car door handles or waiting for the police to show up after they’ve been carjacked. Something needs to be done now, and it all starts with more officers on the streets.
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NOPD currently consists of approximately 1,100 officers, a number lower than it’s been in a long time. There are ways to get more cops on the beat, feet on the street if the mayor would do her job.
Rafael Goyeneche, President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, says the police positions are funded and the applicants are there. The chokepoint is happening in the bureaucracy involved in getting recruits into the academy. Another thing that could easily resolve the situation short term is to change the policy on lateral transfers that requires post-certified officers from other departments to attend the NOPD academy before they hit the streets.
There are ways to enact short term change, but a catchy phrase like “nothing stops a bullet like a job” isn’t one of them.
That catch phrase doesn’t work metaphorically either. It carries with it the presumption that, but for opportunity, crime wouldn’t be a problem in New Orleans. Does she REALLY think that’s true? Is she so naïve as to believe that every one of these thugs terrorizing the community would be happy with a 9-5 life? I hope not because we all know from the dawn of time there have been people who work for what they get and those who want to take it from them.
The mayor currently faces no serious opposition for re-election. Some say that means she can do whatever she wants, including paying only lip service to the crime problem in the city. I think it means just the opposite. With no opposition and re-election all but guaranteed, NOW is the time to stand up and tell the truth.
The answer to the crime problem in the city begins with more cops. So do whatever it takes to get them on the street as quickly as possible.
Another answer to the crime problem is parents caring about and for their children. Kids are born innocent. Something has to happen after they start walking that will dictate which path those steps will lead them. It can be good or bad. That’s up to the parents.
And that’s where LaToya Cantrell has to step up and be a leader.
Call out neglectful parents. Call out those who insist on having more children than they can afford or properly care for. Challenge fathers to provide for and guide the children they create. Talk about the problems that are obvious but not politically pragmatic. Listen to what the people who elected you are trying to tell you. That’s what leaders do.
Is Mayor Cantrell a leader, or just another politician cruising to a second term? Her actions will clearly indicate what path she has chooses to follow. Being a leader isn’t always popular, but that’s why not everybody can be one.
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