New Orleans has seen a significant drop in crime, but a recently leaked document suggested the president may be willing to send in the National Guard if Governor Jeff Landry requested it. That raises the question: what’s an acceptable level of crime and is “zero” ever possible?
Loyola University Criminology Professor and former NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas says history provides perspective.
“Even in the Bible, humans were told not to steal, kill, or covet others’ possessions,” Serpas explained. “That tells us crime has always been a part of human existence. The idea of a crime-free society isn’t realistic.”
Instead, Serpas believes the real measure is not just crime rates, but how people feel. He points to a recent survey by the New Orleans Crime Coalition that asked New Orleanians about their sense of safety. Just six percent said they feel very safe, while forty-seven percent said they feel fairly safe. That adds up to just over half of the city, but Serpas says that’s not good enough.
“As a chief of police, my focus was always on improving those numbers,” Serpas said. “Because perception of safety is just as important as the reality of crime statistics.”
One key factor, he says, is visible presence. “Boots on the ground matter. People feel safer when they see police, and the NOPD has done incredible work with very limited resources,” Serpas said. “But political leaders have not supported the department’s recruitment needs, and that has to change.”
Serpas also noted that New Orleanians have historically had positive interactions with National Guard members. If their deployment were to happen, he believes it could bolster the city’s sense of safety and help push crime numbers closer to zero than they’ve been in years.
“Crime-free may never be the frame,” Serpas said. “The goal should be a city where people genuinely feel safe living their daily lives.”