Does she agree with President Joe Biden about policing in the United States? What is the cause for New Orleans’s massive crime problem? Will she survive the recall effort against her?
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell answered those questions and discussed topics pertaining to crime, policing, and her tumultuous term in office during Sunday’s edition of the CBS news program Face the Nation. Cantrell was a guest on the Washington-based program just two days after the winter meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors, which was held in the capital city, adjourned.
New Orleans’s crime spike has several causes
Program moderator Margaret Brennan was blunt when asking Cantrell about the city’s crime problem.
“New Orleans has the highest per capita murder rate of any major city. Why?” Brennan asked Cantrell.
Cantrell offered several reasons as possible causes.
“Why? Is because one, dealing with COVID-19, violence, everyone has guns, the ability or the lack of the ability to resolve a conflict without reaching and pulling a gun,” Cantrell said, per Face the Nation’s online transcript.
Cantrell also placed some of the blame on the Orleans Parish judiciary.
“Also, as it relates to accountability, you know, low lining offenses, you know, when they don't get bail or they're not restrained, then we're just seeing how these crimes escalate,” Cantrell said. “People need to be held accountable across the board.
And we're seeing results, I would say. We're moving in the right direction.
“But I tell you, we definitely need to hold people accountable,” Cantrell continued. “You can't fight crime, just focusing on police. It's about a system, a criminal justice system. It's about the D.A., your judges, and it's about building in accountability. Everyone needs to be held accountable. And that's how we're focusing on it, holistic approach in the city of New Orleans, definitely seeing a decline moving in the right direction.”
Brennan shot back by asking how much accountability Cantrell is taking for the city’s crime problem.
“Well, first of all, it is the New Orleans Police Department that is absolutely under my authority,” Cantrell said. “And with that, making sure that not only I'm listening to my officers, but getting them the resources that they need to fight crime. And that is exactly what we're seeing on the ground, the incentive packages, retaining officers, as well as recruitment. And that's the focus.”
Federal funding helping with recruiting, retaining officers
Brennan asked Cantrell if she agreed with President Biden’s belief that effective policing does not require “defunding the police” but “restraining the police.”
Cantrell dodged the question, but she volunteered that federal dollars are allowing her administration to help the NOPD recruit and retain officers.
Because of this second tranche of the American rescue plan dollars coming our way with direct allocation . . . Oh, it has really been a lifeline where we're putting 80 million in public safety across the board,” Cantrell said. “One of the biggest in terms of a retention and incentive package to retain, we see it slowing down, meaning attrition is declining, our officers are staying.”
Cantrell also said her administration continues to give the NOPD the “tools and resources” it needs to effectively police the city. She says that response, particularly the recent redeployment of officers, has helped take a bite out of some of the crime that’s plagued the city.
“I've had to put all commissioned officers that were in special ops, over 75, back on the street, because my officers were saying, 'Hey, we need help out here,’” Cantrell said. “So I have to protect my officers so they can protect my city. And so we're seeing a real results in regards to our redeployment strategy on the ground.”
Cantrell hints that she’ll survive recall effort
Brennan also asked Cantrell if she believed she would survive the recall effort. While Cantrell did not directly answer the question, her response suggested that she felt confident she’d escape the recall unscathed.
“Well, based on what I see is that the residents of my city definitely appreciate continuity in leadership,” Cantrell said. “And so with that, that speaks to keeping progress moving and alive under my leadership. Second, elected twice in the city. 61% the first time, 65% The second time. Continuity and leadership is what I'm seeing by my people.”
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