2023 brought some good news in terms of violent crimes in the city of New Orleans. Crime rates will end the year lower than where they were at the end of 2022.
One crime expert says that because criminals are changing their methods.
"The offenders are pivoting to productive criminal activity like automobile burglaries and automobile thefts," Metropolitan Crime Commission head Rafael Goyeneche told WWL's Tommy Tucker.
According to Goyeneche, criminals realize that unlike in carjackings, police officers won't get supervisors' permission to pursue them for car break-ins and thefts. That, Goyaneche says, allows car burglars and thieves to steal guns and vehicles they'll use to commit other crimes without fear of being tracked by police.
"If the offenders steal a car or break into a car, the police aren't allowed to pursue without permission. It's unlikely they're going to get that permission," Goyeneche said.
As for the reduction in shootings and homicides, Goyeneche says criminals may have thinned their own herd.
"They were seeking out their targets, and because they were so successful last year, I think the message has been delivered and many of the intended targets have been eliminated," Goyeneche said. "The ones that remain have made themselves more scarce and harder to get."
Goyaneche says the city's crime stats are still unacceptably high, but he notes the city may be headed in the right direction.
"I think that we may be turning the corner," Goyeneche said. "Hopefully, we can continue that trend. Keep in mind, those are high water marks--comparing last year to this year--because that was the worst year that we had had in 30 years."
Goyaneche also gave credit to the NOPD for the falling crime rate, noting that they've made arrests in a number of carjackings and homicides.
