New Orleans has seen a spike in crime across the city since local officials have loosened COVID restrictions. Newell spoke with New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson on the unlawful activity that's been happening downtown, specifically the French Quarter, and the struggles the NOPD is facing in bringing crime down.
"I happened to be talking to some folks that were down in the French Quarter this past weekend. They were talking about the bucket beaters, the alcohol sellers, people bringing their own sound systems, setting up like a dance stage in the middle of the street in the quarter. Is this something that we can expect that is going to continue or is there some kind of plan in place do to try and create some kind of an environment of enforcement within the quarter?" Newell asked.
Ferguson said, "Some of those things have been viewed before, and they have been looked upon differently in the past. Many things have changed over the years, so we have to look at it within the scope of how things are perceived now."
Newell asked, "Has there been any movement between the city and the French Quarter Management District as a result of the election and executing that cooperative endeavor?"
"We have dedicated resources to that as well," Ferguson responded. "We've taken them out of my own general fund here at NOPD in which we've actually enhanced some patrols throughout the French quarter and along that corridor. So we're just doing our due diligence in ensuring the safety of our residents, our businesses, as well as our visitors down there. But, you know, that's something that they must continue to work out. "
Hear the entire interview in the audio player below.
