Visitor Safety Statement

Updated December 10, 2024

Overview

Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, residents and those who work in the hospitality industry. As one of the world’s most celebrated and iconic destinations for global meetings and conventions, leisure visitors, major cultural festivals and national sporting championships, New Orleans welcomes millions of travelers and countless corporations and organizations each year. Our cultural authenticity and the fact that we are organically Built to Host result in an exceptional, remarkable, and unique travel experience in New Orleans like nowhere else, with every trip and gathering producing world class memories.

New Orleans & Company and its hospitality partners enjoy great relationships with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), which we believe is the best police force in the world at managing citywide, logistically complex events such as Super Bowls, Final Fours, Major Festivals and Mardi Gras. Together with NOPD, we ask visitors to use the same personal safety precautions and to stay vigilant as they would at home or in any metropolitan destination.

Crime Fighting

New Orleans continues to see a reduction in crime that is beating the national trend.  Year-to-date, overall crimes remain down 26% with murders down by 38%. Non-fatal shootings are down 44%, while carjackings are down 49%.

This crime reduction is due in part to the use of analytics in deployment strategies, technology, and collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement partners as well as enhanced data analysis, community engagement, proactive policing and specialized officer training. New Orleans & Company partners with and engages the top leadership of the NOPD on all elements, locations and activities of every gathering and convention so they may be available not only to meet and discuss all group priorities and requirements, but to ensure coverage around convention venues and all areas where specific events are occurring. NOPD creates a deployment plan designed specifically for the needs of that group.

Troop NOLA, a contingent of Louisiana State Police Officers in New Orleans is also augmenting crime reduction efforts, especially the apprehension of repeat, violent offenders.

Recruitment and retention remain top priorities for the NOPD.  Due to Kirkpatrick’s open and transparent style of leadership, 16 officers who left the department returned after seeing the ‘culture’ change that has been made under her leadership.  Additionally, the past year saw an increase in officer recruits and the institution of a new Cadet Program for high schoolers creating a potential pipeline for future recruits.

Enhanced Traffic Enforcement

The NOPD is also beefing up traffic enforcement throughout the city to not only promote driver safety, but to combat violent crime. NOPD has added five more officers to traffic enforcement, allowing for more proactive efforts.

So far in 2024, traffic citations have increased 476%!  This has also aided in the violent crime reduction through the arrest of felons and the confiscation of drugs & weapons during such traffic stops. This new effort is being conducted in problem areas reported by citizens. “Traffic enforcement and officer visibility can aid in the apprehension of violent offenders as well as catch other felons through routine traffic stops,” says NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

NOPD’S  Chief Marks One Year Anniversary

In less than one year, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has achieved the highest approval rating (56%) of any public official in New Orleans according to a recent University of New Orleans poll.   Kirkpatrick was sworn in as New Orleans first permanent female Police Chief on November 1, 2023. In addition, the same UNO poll showed that residents feel safer in their homes and that they believe the quality of police protection is better than two years ago. She has accomplished this by gaining the trust of various community leaders, groups and citizens through open dialogue, transparency and a willingness to face deficiencies/problems head-on and take swift, corrective action.

New EMR Program

The NOPD has launched an Emergency Medical Responder program (EMR), which has graduated eight officers in its inaugural class and provides life-saving services for victims who might not otherwise get quick attention from EMS responders due to unsafe scene conditions. 

Consent Decree

The NOPD is poised to enter the two-year sustainability period for the federal Consent Decree.  On September 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of New Orleans filed with the Court a “Joint Motion to Enter Into The Sustainment Period” for the Consent Decree with a proposed Sustainment Plan.  U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan wrote, “The Court applauds the progress that has been made by the NOPD to date, with the support of the DOJ and the Monitor, and looks forward to hearing from the public on this important matter.”   When and if Judge Morgan signs off on the plan, the NOPD could be completely clear of the Consent Decree in two years.

More Patrol Cars

Since 2021, New Orleans & Company has funded eight security patrol vehicles to supplement NOPD patrols in the French Quarter.

The NOLA Coalition

Formed in 2022, the NOLA Coalition is a diverse collection of over 570 local nonprofits, civic organizations, and businesses with an acute interest in helping to address public safety.  The mission of the NOLA Coalition is to harness their collective resources to create a safer and more prosperous New Orleans for all residents.  The NOLA Coalition supports near-term actions to reduce violence, paired with investment in youth services to drive generational change.  We stand ready to invest – our time, our people, our expertise, and our money – to help make a difference for New Orleans.  Plans underway for 2024 include building an NOPD recruiting App to help streamline and modernize the NOPD applicant process.

Additional Security Protocols Underway

• Police patrol on foot as well as motorcycles and Smart Cars throughout the French Quarter, with special attention to Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Chartres Street, Jackson Square and parks

• Police patrol Convention Center Boulevard via patrol cars, Polaris carts and bicycles

• NOPD officers dressed in fluorescent vests when directing traffic
• Mounted officers on horseback, when needed
• Additional portable light boxes on major cross streets
• Sky Watch towers to increase visibility, observation and police presence during special events
• Enhanced Blue Light Patrol – proactive patrols with off-duty NOPD officers to increase police presence
• All eight (8) districts are on 12-hour shifts

Downtown Public Safety Rangers

The Downtown Development District (DDD) created the Public Safety Ranger program as an integral element of Downtown’s public safety network. The Public Safety Rangers are a non-commissioned force of safety professionals who patrol Downtown on foot and on bicycle. They act as extra eyes and ears for the police and the DDD. Rangers are customer-friendly and provide visible coverage throughout Downtown.

Visitors Downtown also can utilize the DDD Public Safety Rangers, who are on duty seven days a week from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Downtown SafeWalk escorts are offered free of charge within the Downtown DDD boundaries. Call or text 504-415-1730 at least 20 minutes prior to check availability.

As part of its continued effort to provide enhanced public safety services in keeping Downtown safe, the DDD, along with Downtown property owners and managers, has partnered with the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation in the SafeCam Platinum program, providing 36 security cameras at key locations in Downtown New Orleans, which are linked to the City of New Orleans Real-Time Crime Center. The Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) is a City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness 24/7 facility that leverages technology to enhance public safety coordination, provide critical information to first responders in the field, and assist with investigations of criminal activity or other quality of life concerns.

Common Sense Tips for Visitors to Any Major City

• Travel in groups and avoid walking alone on unlit streets at night.                                   
• Pay attention when walking and using your smartphone as these devices have been the target of thieves nationwide.
• Do not leave your purse, backpack, or briefcase unattended, especially not on the back of your chair.
• Be on the lookout for pickpockets. Consolidate your wallet. Don't bring every credit card and move it to your front pocket or/and wear a cross-body bag rather than a shoulder strap to keep your purse in front of you. Do not display large amounts of cash in public places.
• Consider removing your convention badge when leaving your hotel or meeting venue.
• When hailing a ride via a mobile app, confirm the identity of your driver before getting into the car.
• If you are intoxicated, please take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft instead of walking or driving.
• Trust your gut instincts. If someone or something seems suspicious, leave the area, and alert a police officer or Safety Ranger.
• If approached by strangers for con games, such as, “I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes,” do not participate. Simply smile and walk past them.
• Lock car doors. Stow valuables out of sight in your vehicle.
• Ensure that your hotel room door is fully closed and locked at all times.
• Do not leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers.
• Remember that most laws enforced in your city are enforced here as well.