NEW ORLEANS - Greg Creason creates and sells art at his gallery on Royal Street in the French Quarter.
He'd like to expand his business hours, but believes it could be a risky move.
"I would love to be able to stay open later, but because I'm by myself, I'm a little concerned about staying open by myself, and there's been friends of mine, close friends of mine, that have been beaten up and hurt within the French Quarter, and it's a major concern," Creason said.
One organization aims to ease those fears, by creating a new security district.
Members of the French Quarter Marigny Historic Area Management District are proposing a new tax on residents and businesses in the neighborhood -- to pay for a private security force.
Patrols would cover the area bounded by the Mississippi River, the neutral ground of Canal Street, both of sides of North Rampart and both sides of Esplanade.
Here’s a breakdown of the fees:
Residents: $185
Small Commercial: $395
ABO Small Commercial: $545
Large Commercial: $900 - $15,000
French Quarter voters will consider the measure October 2.
If it passes, security guards would work the streets day and night, in addition to the NOPD's coverage.
Those on night patrols would be armed.
"They'll patrol all over the quarter, but if there are hot spots that the police indicate, then more energy will be put into those areas. So, it's hoped that they will be able to respond very quickly," said Carol Greve, treasurer of the group pushing the idea.
There are skeptics, like crime blogger and French Quarter resident Thom Kahler.
He believes the proposal was drawn up at a time when crime was more of a concern in the quarter, and with a new police chief at the helm, he's seen improvements.
"We've seen crime go down. We've seen them on the offensive. We've seen them patrolling more. You know, and they've managed to go in and clean up these bad areas. And, we ought to give them a chance," Kahler said.
But Greg Creason welcomes any boost in protection -- and he believes a private security force could make a difference.
"As a business owner, I think it would be very beneficial to allow me peace of mind, and to know that, not only I'm safe, but also my customers are safe," he said.
If approved by voters, the security district would run through 2014 -- at which time a new election would determine whether it could continue.
