Visitor Safety Statement

Updated July 2025

Overview

Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our visitors, residents and those who work in the hospitality industry. The crime fighting efforts by the New Orleans Police Department led to a significant decrease in overall crime last year, and continuing this year.

In fact, New Orleans has had the lowest number of murders YTD 6/30/2025, since 1970, when 48 murders were reported through June of 1970. 

Since the terror attack on Bourbon Street on January 1, the NOPD, along with the assistance of state and federal authorities and additional independent security experts, have put together a plan to help make the city safer for visitors. Those enhanced security plans helped the city execute a successful spring festival and Mardi Gras Season and Super Bowl week, summer events and festivals as well as hundreds of meeting and convention groups.

Crime Fighting

Crime, especially violent crime, continues its downward trend in 2025 with a year-to-date 22 percent decrease over 2024 in overall crime with murders being reduced by 48%.  Non-fatal shootings are down 19%, while carjackings have continued to decline to 41%. Property crimes also continue a downward trend with auto thefts down over 37% from this time last year.

Last year, New Orleans saw one of its least violent years in decades. When compared to crime statistics from 2023, overall crime in the city saw a 26-percent decrease in 2024.

• In 2024, NOPD enhanced its responsiveness, seeing 44,000 fewer calls for service than in 2021. Additionally, response times improved overall even with a smaller police force. The NOPD credits that to strategic officer deployment.
• 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.

Recruitment

Recruiting new police officers has been a struggle nationwide, but the NOPD is beginning to see a turnaround. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has appointed a new leader over the Recruitment Unit, Captain Gwen Nolan. Captain Nolan has a successful track record in Recruitment and is currently assessing current programs and goals and is working to devise a new overall marketing plan which will include regional/national advertising to attract qualified applicants locally and across the nation.

Strengthening Security

After the terror attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day, local and state authorities are working to ensure the safety of our visitors. 

• New Orleans & Company’s Role: New Orleans & Company is building upon our strong existing partnerships with NOPD, Louisiana State Police as well as other law enforcement agencies. We will continue to work with them as they ensure enhanced coverage for upcoming events and meetings and secure additional patrols in heavily visited areas.
• Expert Security Assessment: The City of New Orleans contracted Bill Bratton, former New York City Police Commissioner and one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues, to consult with the city on security.  After several meetings with various stakeholders and neighborhoods including the French Quarter, the city is currently reviewing Bratton’s proposals to engage in longer term safety plans, including turning Bourbon Street into a pedestrian mall, after successful Mardi Gras & Super Bowl measures.  

Special Victims Division (SVD)

NOPD is refocusing efforts on sex crimes and child abuse cases by adding eight detectives  to the unit and upping the civilian investigation team to 19. In addition, NOPD has instituted a call-back unit to ensure every call is investigated, a detective assigned to cold cases in sex crimes and the first-ever Cold Case Child Abuse Unit. This effort, initiated by the Consent Decree, helps strengthen NOPD’s commitment to justice for the most vulnerable in our community. 

Consent Decree

The NOPD has also entered a two-year sustainability period for the federal consent decree.  In January, U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan ruled to allow the department to enter the final phase of its federal consent decree. The sustainability period gives the department and the city time to review policies and implement them as permanent. The consent decree was enacted more than a decade ago by the United States Department of Justice due to unconstitutional policing. 

Enhanced Traffic Enforcement

The NOPD has enhanced traffic enforcement throughout the city to not only promote driver safety, but to combat violent crime. NOPD added five more officers to traffic enforcement, allowing for more proactive efforts. In 2024, traffic citations increased more than 400 %.  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. 

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. 

More Patrol Cars

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

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 increasing 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.

The NOLA Coalition

The NOLA Coalition—a diverse alliance of over 570 nonprofits, businesses, and civic groups—have made significant progress through its dual mission of improving public safety and investing in youth. Since July 2022, major crime categories have dropped an average of 55%, including a 48% decline in homicides, thanks to initiatives like increased NOPD pay and benefits, enhanced recruitment efforts, the deployment of Troop NOLA, and greater accountability across the justice system. Simultaneously, the Coalition has secured over $8.5M toward its $15M goal to support youth organizations, funding more than two dozen programs that provide mentorship, education, arts, mental health services, and workforce training. 

Looking ahead, The NOLA Coalition will continue its safety gains through stronger NOPD recruiting, community engagement, and technology adoption, while also launching a youth employment pilot.

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 smart phone 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, alert 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.