With crime on the rise in New Orleans, the NOPD finds itself undermanned at the worst possible time, and a local watchdog group says current and past administrations are responsible for putting the police at a disadvantage.
Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, told Newell Normand that the staffing problem at NOPD dates back to Mitch Landrieu’s term as mayor of New Orleans and the hiring freeze he put in place, one that his police chief at the time warned him against.
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“Everything Ronal Serpas predicted over 10 years ago is coming to fruition right now," Goyeneche said. "The police department’s levels are at their lowest levels in 50 years at a time when violent crime is surging. And the politicians still are not doing anything about rebuilding the numbers of the police department.”
Goyeneche said current Mayor LaToya Cantrell can turn the tide if she commits to certain solutions.
“You’re going to need to offer a raise to police officers to attract more recruits and to slow down the attrition rate,” he said.
Goyeneche said the department’s current method of coping with the staffing shortage – overtime – isn’t sustainable.
“If the numbers continue to plummet of available officers, you can only work so many hours a week before you burn out,” Goyeneche said.
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According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission’s latest numbers, homicides in New Orleans are up 69%, shootings are up 117%, and carjackings are up 178% over the past two years.
The MCC has logged 125 homicides, 175 carjackings, 319 shootings, 235 armed robberies and 1,927 stolen cars so far in 2021.