NOLA's violence reduction strategy: "a really heavy lean into and utilizing technology as a force multiplier”
With fewer cops and weaker gun laws, New Orleans police are using surveillance and public tips to increase arrests and reduce violence
A Louisiana Paradox?
Firearm-involved fatalities are down in most of the largest cities in New Orleans, excluding Baton Rouge.
Firearm violence is down sharply in New Orleans and other Louisiana cities. At the same time, the state has made firearm carrying easier and local regulation harder. How are communities like New Orleans reducing gun violence in a state with some of the most permissive firearm purchasing and carrying laws in the country?
The steep decline in New Orleans, which had among the highest homicide rates of any major US city during the pandemic era, is especially noteworthy.
Louisiana’s firearm regulations were relaxed in 2024:
The state repealed its permitting requirements for carrying a concealed firearm. As of August 1, 2024, persons over the age of 18 (including non-residents) who aren’t otherwise disqualified may carry a firearm in public in a concealed manner without a license. (Open carrying of firearms in public was already permitted in the state.)
The state further reduced the ability of local governments to “pre-empt” Louisiana firearm laws (with more restrictive or permissive regulations).
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed “tough on crime” bills:
A repeal of the state’s “Raise the Age” law, enacted in 2017, which made it harder to try 17-year-old as adults, including for violent crimes. With the law’s repeal, all 17-year-olds charged with felonies are automatically tried as adults.
Parole eliminated for anyone convicted of a crime after August 1, 2024.
Truth in Sentencing Bill, requires 85% of a criminal sentence be served before a reduction for good behavior.
What explains declining violence in New Orleans?
Some credit the work of community-based organizations that interrupt cycles of violence, reducing retaliatory homicides.
Others credit increased arrest and homicide clearance rates.
Firearm homicide clearance rates increased to 55% in 2024, up from a 15-year low of 28% in 2020.
Sources: New Orleans City Council Policing Performance Dashboard & Jeff Asher, Fewer Crimes Usually Means Higher Clearance Rates, Jeff-alytics.
What’s helping police solve more murders?
“a really heavy lean into and utilizing technology as a force multiplier,”
Police are releasing surveillance video and photos of suspects to the public, leading to increases in IDs and arrests following violent crimes, including a mass shooting at a mass shooting near the Nine Times Second Line parade that left 10 people injured on Nov. 19, 2024.
Crime Fatigue
More reporting of crimes and tips to police and groups like Crimestoppers.
Crimestoppers CEO Darlene Cusanza said the organization “fielded a record number of calls” in 2024…“People are truly tired of the crime plaguing their communities, and they're the ones that are doing something about it.”