Despite stubbornly high crime rates, the New Orleans Police Department is getting high marks from residents. The New Orleans Crime Coalition survey shows 64 percent of residents are satisfied with department efforts.
The crime coalition survey included opinions from 600 residents contacted last month. It’s done annually on behalf of 15 community organizations. The first survey conducted in 2009 found only 33 percent were satisfied with police efforts.
Superintendent Michael Harrison credits the improved scores to an emphasis on community relations.
“All year – for the past two years – that’s what we’ve been doing, and it’s beginning to resonate with the residents, the businesses," Harrison said. "And people are now telling us through our survey, ‘We see what you’ve been doing. We appreciate it. We feel a little bit better.’ "
Harrison says more work is needed to curb violence. About half the residents surveyed said they don’t feel safe outside their own neighborhoods.
“We can spend more time identifying more gang members, group members and even individuals who are committing violent crimes by way of shootings, hold them accountable and bringing them to justice," he said.
Harrison will be speaking today to 300 young men about community policing and law enforcement at an event sponsored by the Orleans Parish School Board and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.