For a long time the pair never seemed to connect in New Orleans. Now a recently released report by a watchdog group could signal a change.
In this week's commentary, Eyewitness News Political Analyst and Gambit political columnist Clancy DuBos takes a look at why the results are good for the NOPD.
Clancy DuBos / Eyewitness News Political Analyst and Gambit columnist
NEW ORLEANS -- The Metropolitan Crime Commission yesterday reported a dramatic decrease in the number of arrests by New Orleans cops in the second half of last year. And that was good news.
The reason it was good news is because NOPD officers have long focused too much on minor offenses — and not enough on major crimes.
Overall, arrests in New Orleans were down 21 percent from the first half of last year, but felony arrests were down only 6 percent. Police Chief Ronal Serpas says felony collars fell partly because of an overall drop in major crimes — and also because cops are doing a better job.
Also encouraging is news that felony convictions posted by District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office rose significantly in 2009. That was Cannizzaro’s first full year in office. The Crime Commission reports that 42 percent of local felony arrests led to felony convictions that year. That’s almost twice the rate posted by former D-A Eddie Jordan in 2007.
The Crime Commission also reports that Cannizzaro’s office is refusing far fewer cases than Jordan’s office. That reflects both a tougher stance by the current district attorney, and a better job of writing reports by today’s cops.
New Orleans still has a long way to go in fighting crime, but these numbers show things finally appear to be getting on track.
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