We've heard a lot about the NOLA Coalition. I hope to talk to someone from the Coalition every week on the show about their views, challenges, and what they see as potential solutions to bolster recruitment and retention at the New Orleans Police Department and investment in youth services. A lot of nonprofits as well as businesses and individual citizens have joined the cause. I spoke with Michael Cortizas, GNO Board Chair and Partner & Chief Diversity Officer at Jones Walker, to discuss some of the Coalition’s early successes and how they are going about making New Orleans safe long term.
As diverse as the group is, it’s interesting that y'all have been able to bring folks together on some issues that have been otherwise somewhat controversial like the use of facial recognition and other intelligence gathering software for police. Tell me how y’all were able to accomplish that.
It's worked because our agenda has always been to support our community and our leaders with the goal of achieving a safer city for everyone. It's hard for anyone to argue against that. Looking at the mechanics of our plan, there’s a seven point platform with 34 measurement subcategories, and they’re all supported. There's no hidden agenda and no philosophical agenda. The plan is to literally help our NOPD with recruitment and retention with technology, accountability and also supporting our youth and community service agencies.
I believe that the Mayor is now more focused on the issues, at least in the short term. New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams spoke recently to the City Council criminal justice committee and says he's all in on crime fighting and finally recognized there’s a crime problem.
The communities have known this for quite some time, but it’s important that Williams recognized the problem, right?
Last week, Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an agreement for $900,000 in additional recruiting funding to the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. Those funds will be used for recruitment advertising and national testing. Also, the City Council passed the PIB ordinance - a friend of mine told me that when the community speaks, leaders listen. I hope that is the case here.
Have y'all thought about monitoring the Coalition, making sure somebody is watching and maintaining for the future? Short term impact is one thing, but long term impact, as you well know, is really a whole different challenge.
The United Way is completing a request for proposal template that will measure the Coalition's success and are working in conjunction with GNO Inc and others in determining success. GNO Inc. is currently in the process of hiring a director or manager to oversee the work of the Coalition and to kind of be a resource to both the NOPD and to the nonprofit organizations. The role would also be as a resource manager to oversee and guide the coalition.
