March 2, 2011 At today’s Criminal Justice Committee meeting, Councilmember-at-Large Jackie Clarkson and Councilmember Susan Guidry heard reports from the Metropolitan Crime Commission and a group of State law enforcement officials.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission (MCC) is a non-profit, citizen’s organization dedicated to exposing and eliminating public corruption and to reducing the incidence of crime and improving the administration of justice in order to improve the quality of life for citizens in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metropolitan areas and throughout Louisiana. Their three main programs of work are an Anti-Public Corruption Program, a Research Program, and a Wanted By The Law Program.
Rafael Goyeneche and John Humphries, Jr. of MCC shared their latest report from the Research Program with the Committee Co-Chairs Clarkson and Guidry. The organization’s latest report, which covered the Fall and Winter of 2010, had the following findings:
Violent felony convictions continued to increase over the first six months of 2010. Other positive trends in criminal justice performance include greater numbers of trials to resolve difficult cases, higher rates of felony arrests resulting in prosecutions, and lower rates of cases being dismissed. The report also finds a high percentage of arrests for minor out of parish warrants that result in little time in jail.
The full report can be found on the MCC website, www.metropolitancrimecommission.org .
The Committee meeting continued with presentations from State enforcement agencies on their plans to curb underage drinking during Mardi Gras, and in general ensure a safe atmosphere for the celebrations. The officers’ main goals are to keep locals and tourists alike safe so that Mardi Gras can be enjoyed without negative repercussions to the public.
Troy Hebert from the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) told the Committee that the ATC holds mandatory classes for all bartenders and alcohol servers teaching them how to serve alcohol responsibly. The agency followed up for this season by introducing themselves and sharing contact information and resources with bars, restaurants, and other vendors. This allows a positive liaison relationship if any questions or doubts arise in the coming week.
The LA State Fire Marshall (represented at the meeting by Dan Wallis) has also been proactive, teaming up with the New Orleans Fire Department to hold inspections of facilities and to warn against dangers of overcrowding and other hazards that could cause harm or fatalities.
The Louisiana State Police will be joining the NOPD throughout the city, mainly focusing on the French Quarter, for the next week or more. Their main goals are to have plainclothes police inspecting the streets for illegal drugs, and officers shutting down any balcony activity that is thwarting crowd movement. The officers also emphasized to the public that if a fight breaks out in a crowded area to stay away in order to keep from getting hurt or getting in trouble with the law. Representatives from the LA State Police present at the Committee meeting were Col. Michael Edmonson, Capt. Carl Saizan, and Maj. David Stato.
Lastly, John LeBlanc of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission told the Committee that his office has received grants to help with increased efforts to target underage drinking, and any drinking and driving. Mardi Gras can be considered the deadliest holiday in New Orleans, so everyone should take precautions to stay safe.
