The Future of Lethal Violence Abatement in New Orleans

• In Event: Preventing Lethal Violence in New Orleans

Abstract

I discuss reforms made in the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and its efforts to control homicide and other types of violent crime during my tenure as NOPD Superintendent. I discuss several innovations implemented during my tenure, including (1) A 65 point plan to reform the department; (2) the use of multi-agency gang units; (3) social network analysis and (4) the use of citizen satisfaction surveys in informing strategies to improve police and citizen col-laboration; I also discuss the terms and conditions of the Federal Consent Decree aimed at the reformation of the NOPD and the NOLA for Life initiative. Significant reductions in murder in New Orleans in 2013 and the continuation of murder reduction in 2014 suggest that these reforms are important as the start of a long term reduction in lethal violence.

Author

• Ronal Serpas, Loyola University New Orleans