Kirkpatrick: NOPD already implementing Teneo suggestions

Kirkpatrick
Photo credit New Orleans City Council

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says she and her staff are taking the Teneo Report looking into the city's security plan seriously.

In fact, Kirkpatrick says part of that report is already being followed.

"We are not done. In fact, this is just the beginning," Kirkpatrick said. "We did not wait for the report to come to a conclusion."

Kirkpatrick says her number-one mission is to fulfill the recommendation of bolstering intelligence operations in the NOPD. Another key goal she wants to achieve is bolstering the NOPD's ranks.

"I think we should internally in New Orleans build out a fusion center to complement the state's fusion center," Kirkpatrick said. "I do have a goal to hire 300 more officers. We're doing what we can to hire the right people without compromise."

However, Kirkpatrick says it will be up to the community if the city follows the recommendation to make Bourbon Street a pedestrian plaza.

"But now, the bigger question is before the city itself, and they must make some decision regarding the level of closures that are acceptable to this city and to this community," Kirkpatrick said. "Yes, I appreciate the Fort Knox approach. That's great, but is it something that's viable? We have to come up with maybe a compromise, and that's what we'll try to do."

Featured Image Photo Credit: New Orleans City Council