In New Orleans carjacking are up almost 30% so far this year. Shootings are up over 20%.
Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said his officers wonder why they should bother to make arrests when DA Jason Williams is refusing to prosecute more than 75% of misdemeanor arrests and 40% of felony cases.
As the NOPD fights the rise in violent crime, Ferguson testified before the city council about the department’s budget needs to reduce crime. The NOPD is asking for over 16 million dollars in additional funds to help restore some things they lost during the pandemic like furlough days and overtime pay.
Chief Ferguson says a big focus needs to be on recruitment and retention, since his department is dealing with a serious manpower issue. Ferguson said housing and tax deductions might assist with recruitment, especially if they were transitioning from another state.
To increase retention, Ferguson pointed out that the department promoted 15 officers to the rank of captain.
The NOPD is asking for an overall budget of nearly 194 million dollars in 2022.
