Reducing violent crime in New Orleans has been what many would call a successful effort.
Recent reports for 2025 show that, for a third straight year, murders, shootings, and armed robberies are down.
However, lists of the United States’ most dangerous cities still feature New Orleans near the top when it comes to homicide rates per capita.
So the lower rates, while positive, are considered by experts to require improvement.
Greg Rusovich, Chairman of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, says that in 2026, his organization’s goal is to focus on lobbying for two main issues paramount to continuing the downward trend.
Eliminating permitless concealed carry in New Orleans & French Quarter
The first issue the MCC sees as crucial to lowering violent crime is reversing the 2024 decision to allow concealed carry in the French Quarter.
“The state legislature, in their wisdom, allowed anyone 18 or older — with no training, no background check — to carry a concealed weapon city-wide and in the French Quarter, unless you’re a felon. That has been a problem,” says Rusovich.
“Guns are already banned in bars; much of the French Quarter is one big saloon, but they aren't banned in the French Quarter. The National Guard is now checking backpacks coming in the evenings and during the holidays. But if someone has a gun, it’s fine,” Rusovich continues. “They can take away other things, but they can’t take away the gun. This is really absurd. They also passed a law allowing parade goers to carry concealed weapons along the parade routes.”
Rusovich points out the paradoxical nature of the French Quarter gun restrictions and those at the state capital:
“The state legislature, when you pull up and get ready to walk into the building, you notice big signs saying Dangerous Weapons Prohibited. So we wouldn't want to endanger them, but perfectly fine to endanger visitors and locals in the FQ. This is one thing we won't go away on.”
We fought really hard — the Business Council of New Orleans, MCC, NOLA Coalition — we all fought very tenaciously two years ago, as it's just unacceptable and lacks complete common sense.
Enhanced use of facial recognition technology
The second issue is the enhanced proper use of facial recognition technology.
“The reason for the crime drop in the FQ particular, is due to the very effective use of facial recognition, which was only used for known wanted suspects,” says Rusovich. “A lot of that capability has been taken away.”
Back in the spring of 2025, the NOPD suspended cooperation with Project NOLA after the use of the technology was called into question for violating a city ordinance. However, Rusovich is confident that the city will return to using the technology.
“I think that on facial recognition, we’re going to be working toward that. And I think that we can demonstrate that that system won't be abused, and we’ll have guardrails around it. I’m cautiously optimistic on the facial recognition situation,” says Rusovich. “I think the mayor and CAO will be cooperative in hearing our case and demonstrating our case.
How does MCC plan to bridge ideological divides?
On both issues, the MCC faces political opposition.
“We have people on the left, people on the right. It’s a battle,” Rusovich says. “On the legislative side, with the guns in the FQ, that’s going to be an uphill battle. But we’re not going to stop. There have to be consequences for political actions. And we have to be monitoring those more carefully and doing so by lobbying and pushing in the legislature to keep this going.”
Rusovich explains plans to continue compiling data to sway opinions in favor of their proposed solutions.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing that our policymakers can't see common-sense, evidence-backed solutions. These are backed by data. The MCC has clearly demonstrated there’s a reduction in gun arrests since this ridiculous law has been put into effect. The same thing on facial recognition, we can demonstrate this as well,” Rusovich concludes.
"There should be a political will to say, ‘If we can take steps to save lives and decrease the number of crime victims, we should take that action.’”