New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has announced new plans "to curb juvenile crime."
She wants to "offer effective solutions to ensure that young people are safe in our city while promoting public safety."
CURFEW
One of the key pieces of her plan calls for more strict enforcement of laws that govern when young people can be on the streets.
"Part of this work includes the New Orleans Police Department’s renewed enforcement of the curfew ordinance for teens ages 16 and under," according to information from the mayor's office.
The plan calls for stepping up that enforcement starting this coming Monday, June 3rd.
She says a coordinated effort will include the administration, representatives from law enforcement, judicial representatives, public defenders, workforce development partners, and various community organizations such as the Covenant House and the Youth Opportunity Center.
“As I’ve said before, this is not something the NOPD, or City of New Orleans can do alone — we must all work together to make New Orleans a stronger and safer city,” Supt. Shaun Ferguson said. “The Curfew Ordinance is only one piece of our overall strategy to keep our kids out of trouble and out of harm's way.”
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
The Cantrell plan also calls for finding ways to keep kids occupied and in supportive environments that keep them off the streets.
"It is so important that we continue to invest in positive recreational and educational supports over the summer and year round for all children. Our juvenile justice system lacks alternatives to detention options that will connect youth to the skills and interventions to be rehabilitated outside of secure confinement," said Office of Youth and Families Director Emily Wolff. "Our office is committed to continuing to invest in innovation and intervention for youth who truly do not pose a threat to public safety, as an alternative to incarceration."
The mayor says they are identifying at risk teens and putting them to work.
"The administration is also excited to announce the Summer Success job program through the Office of Youth and Families and JOB1. The program will offer 100 youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system with a paid summer job opportunity for 5 weeks this summer. Youth will also receive case management services, counseling, and bus passes to ensure transportation is not a barrier," the administration outlined.
A news release went on to point out other programs available.
"The City also encourages youth and their families to access the program opportunities offered by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and New Orleans Public Libraries. This summer, NORD offers healthy activities, jobs and special event programming, including 15 Teen Career Camps (for ages 13-15) that will serve more than 1,000 teens across the city for six weeks. Teens will have the opportunity to earn stipends of $75 per week. Camps begin June 3. NORD also plans to hire more than 150 lifeguards for the summer pool season, which also begins on June 3."
Additionally, there is a Summer Fun program at the New Orleans Public Library. It will focus heavily on promoting literacy.
"The area’s 15 libraries will offer games, activities, prizes and a range of other activities. Children and teens can earn additional prizes and raffle tickets each time they read or are read to for 200 minutes, up to 1,000 minutes."