NEW ORLEANS — The NOLA Coalition, a diverse group of over 570 nonprofits, civic organizations, and businesses, provided an update to the public on its first two years of progress. The event featured a Progress Update on Public Safety, a Progress Update on Investment in Youth, comments from the youth services perspective, and 2024 NOLA Coalition priorities.
“Over the past two years, the NOLA Coalition has made significant progress in strengthening our community through our dual focus on enhancing public safety while investing in social services,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of GNO, Inc. “The inspiring collaboration between public and private sectors, alongside the unwavering support of New Orleans residents, has proven that together, we can drive meaningful change. But we have further to go, and must show that we can continue to improve, and sustain this improvement. The work and momentum of the NOLA Coalition must continue.”
The first of the two concurrent NOLA Coalition tracks is Public Safety, and is focused on near-term actions to reduce violence, and save lives. These tactics include:
- NOPD Recruitment & Retention – Improved outcomes via clear objectives, better processes and enhanced working conditions
- NOPD Pay & Benefits – Pay raises and benefits to help restore NOPD
- Violence Prevention – Tactics to stop violence before it happens, rangning from de-escalation, to youth support, to mental health services
- System Accountability – Criminal justice as a system that must work together, with no “revolving door”
- Technology – Constitutional technology to enhance effectiveness
- Community & Social Support – Increased availability and impact of social and counseling programs
“The significant reduction in crime that we’ve seen in New Orleans over the past two years is a testament to the power of community collaboration,” said Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent. “The NOLA Coalition has played a crucial role in mobilizing resources and uniting diverse stakeholders around a common goal—making our city safer. The 55% decrease in major crime categories, including nearly a 50% drop in homicides, shows that our collective efforts are making a real difference. However, our work is far from finished, and we remain committed to continuing this progress and ensuring that every resident of New Orleans can live in safety and peace.”
The results of these focused efforts have been significant, with the four major categories of crime having declined an average of 55%. The reduction in homicides is over double the national rate of decline. When the NOLA Coalition was founded in July of 2022, violence and loss were at record levels. Since that time, significant improvements have been made:
- Homicides have declined 48%
- Shootings have declined 48%
- Carjackings have declined 68%
- Armed Robberies have declined 56%
“Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed remarkable progress in our efforts to uplift the youth of New Orleans,” said Kim Boyle, Partner at Phelps Dunbar. “Through strategic investments and unwavering community support, we’ve reached meaningful fundraising goals that have expanded the reach of vital youth services across the city. These initiatives are not just numbers; they represent real opportunities and hope for our young people. As we continue to build on this momentum, our commitment to ensuring every child in New Orleans has the resources they need to succeed remains stronger than ever.”
With the advocacy and support of the NOLA Coalition, and the partnership of the Adminstration, City Council, DA, and multiple business and civic groups, signficant progress has been made, including:
- Successful advocacy for a national search for the new NOPD Superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick, who has ushered in a new era for the department
- Associated advocacy for a significant increase in pay for the NOPD Superintendent, to a nationally competitive rate; A further plan for was approved, which will deliver $30 million towards recruitment and retention for the NOPD, including up to $30,000 as a recruitment incentive
- Working with the Mayor and City Council, support for millions invested in additional pay, bonuses, and retention measures for officers
- Successful advocacy for the use of constitutional technology, with the appropriate regulatory guardrails;
- City Council passed Ordinance 33,809, requiring data collection to ensure greater transparency and oversight
- Additional support for new equipment for NOPD, including vehicles, safety equipment, and technology
- Continued support of a $30M criminal justice IT overhaul and integration, $8.5M City IT System Overhaul, and $7.5M on public safety equipment
- Troop NOLA, a specialized unit of the Louisiana State Police dedicated to enhancing public safety and quality of life in New Orleans, was deployed by Governor Jeff Landry, to work in close partnership with the New Orleans Police Department, other law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders
- NOPD redeployed 75 commissioned officers to begin patrol duty, increasing the number of officers on-duty in all districts
- Continued support of civilianization measures, like On Scene Services, which reduce the need for commissioned officers to attend non-injury traffic accidents
- Regular publication of accountability dashboards, including recruiting & retention numbers
“Thanks to significant improvements in NOPD’s pay structure and benefits which were supported by the NOLA Coalition, more officers than ever are staying on the force,” said Greg Rusovich, CEO of Transoceanic Development. “Still, the NOPD needs to bolster the size of its force to maintain the safety gains we’ve achieved. It is critical that we intensify efforts to bring in new talent, leaving no stone unturned in recruitment efforts, and thereby ensuring our officers have the resources they need to protect and serve our community effectively. The safety of our city depends on it.”
Many individuals and organizations have helped drive this improvement, including the Mayor, the City Council, the NOPD, the District Attorney, the Sheriff, and many other civic and nonprofit organizations. The NOLA Coalition further recognizes the support of Governor Jeff Landry and Troop NOLA in helping to sustain improved safety.
“The NODICE program has been a game-changer in our approach to public safety, and our partnership with the NOLA Coalition has been instrumental in this success,” said New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams. “By leveraging data and community partnerships, we’ve been able to target resources where they’re needed most, leading to more effective outcomes and a stronger connection between law enforcement and the communities we serve. Together, we are creating a safer, and more prosperous New Orleans for all residents. The NOLA Coalition was created to help our city at one of our worst moments and now two years later that moment has turned into a movement.”
The second area of focus of the coalition is business, philanthropic, and other investment in proven community youth support service organizations, to help them grow their impact and drive generational change. The Coalition has committed to $15M ($5M per year over three years) from the private and philanthropic sectors for youth support services in New Orleans.
Nearly $8.3M of the 3-year, $15M, fundraising goal has already been secured over the past six months, which will support dozens of high-impact youth service organizations. Of this, over $2.3M has already been issued to over two dozen Orleans Parish youth-serving program providers, including:
| 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans A’s & Aces Art Camp 504 Black Man Rising Movement, Inc. Café Hope Community Sailing New Orleans Dancing Grounds Empower Your Cents Grow Dat Youth Farm H.O.P.E. – Helping Other People Endure Jesus Project Ministries Liberty’s Kitchen Louisiana Green Corps Mental and Behavioral Health Collaborative New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) New Orleans Career Center |
NORDC NOTEP Trade School Operation Restoration P.O.S.H. Push Nonprofit Reconcile New Orleans Second Line Arts Collective SilenceIsViolence Son of a Saint Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) STEM NOLA The 1881 Institute The 18th Ward The First 72+ unCommon Construction Whole Village Art Therapy Youth Empowerment Project |
“We’re excited to roll out new initiatives that will further our mission of supporting the youth in New Orleans,” said Daphine Barnes, Executive Director of Economic Mobility at Greater New Orleans, Inc. “Our collaboration with Orleans Parish District Attorney for violence prevention will provide targeted interventions to those most at risk, while our Pathways Pilot Program will offer employment-ready youth the opportunities they need to succeed. These initiatives will create lasting, positive impacts in our community, ensuring that our young people are not just surviving but thriving.”
The NOLA Coalition has a set of specific priorities for 2024:
Public Safety
- Help improve NOPD recruiting – A comprehensive initiative to support and enhance NOPD recruiting efforts, attract new talent, retain current officers, and build a strong, capable police force that can effectively serve and protect the community
- Support overall public safety effort to continue to reduce violent crime – Comprehensive strategies that address both immediate and long-term safety concerns in New Orleans, through community engagement and violence prevention, and data-driven policing and accountability
- Use Super Bowl LIX as goal to address quality of life issues – Leverage this major event as a catalyst to address critical quality of life issues across the city, such as cleanup and beautification, infrastructure improvements, safety and security enhancements, community engagement and volunteerism, and public health and wellness initiatives
Invest in Youth
- Continue to fundraise to $15M goal – Maintain momentum and drive towards achieving the $15 million fundraising target to secure sustainable investments in youth services and programs. This effort will expand the capacity of youth organizations across New Orleans, ensuring long-term support and growth for critical initiatives aimed at empowering the next generation
- Participate in Super Bowl Impact 59 program – Leverage the national platform of the Super Bowl Impact 59 program to raise awareness and garner support for youth services in New Orleans to amplify the impact of youth programs in the city
- Collaborate with Orleans Parish District Attorney for violence prevention – Partner with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office by utilizing data from the NODICE initiative to inform and shape new Neighborhood Engagement Summits, ensuring data-driven discussions and targeted community solutions to drive efforts in sustaining families, stabilizing neighborhoods, and building wealth across generations
- Launch Pathways Pilot Program for employment-ready youth – Introduce a new pilot program designed to connect employment-ready youth to high-wage, high-growth career pathways that provide mortgage-supporting jobs
“The impact of the NOLA Coalition on our community has been nothing short of transformative,” said Rev. Dr. Debra Gilmore, Founder and CEO of Touching Jesus Today Ministries. “Through their support, Touching Jesus Ministries has been able to connect with vital local services that are making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing this important work together.”
The nonprofit, civic, and business community has an acute interest in helping to address crime and quality of life, for reasons of both life and livelihood. The over 570 organizations in The NOLA Colaition are small and large, with diverse membership, from across the city and region, and represent tens of thousands of employees from New Orleans and the region.
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