Tagged: NOPD

The public’s trust in the post-Katrina New Orleans Police Department is still a fragile commodity. But the men in blue and their leadership are attempting to re-engage the communities they serve.

The city’s death toll has fallen dramatically over the past year, even as the number of other violent crimes has skyrocketed, according to statistics just released by the New Orleans Police Department.

The total number of murders in the first three months of the year dropped sharply, from 62 in 2011 to 45 this year, a decline of over 27 percent. The burglary rate slid over 16 percent during the same period.

A federal prosecutor argues two court-appointed defense attorneys should be sanctioned for challenging a former New Orleans police officer's convictions and death sentence without his authorization.

Len Davis, who was sentenced to death for arranging a woman's 1994 murder, has elected to represent himself during his post-conviction proceedings. In March, however, his standby counsel filed a petition asking U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan to overturn his death sentence or order a new trial.

The New Orleans Police crime prevention unit will be buying guns from residents — no questions asked — on May 12.

Police will pay $75 cash for handguns and $200 cash for assault rifles. The weapons can be new or old. Damaged guns will also be accepted.

Those looking to get rid of guns are advised to bring them unloaded and in a bag or container to the event. Police ask that people don't handle the weapons at the event and bring ammunition in separate containers.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The attorney for the family of a 20-year-old unarmed man fatally shot by police says a funeral home report indicates Wendell Allen had a hole in his back, which they contend is evidence he was shot from behind.

That would contradict findings of the Orleans Parish coroner's office and New Orleans Police Department, which have both said Allen was shot in the chest.

The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/HV5VAW ) Allen's family and their attorney, Lionel Lon Burns, on Wednesday accused police of a "cover-up."