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During summer, the pace of the city traditionally slows down. This is when hidden French Quarter patios come alive, and when twilight sends residents to the front porch or stoop hoping to socialize and catch a cooling breeze.
But this summer some people are opting to stay inside, and it's more than the air conditioning sending them there.
Baty Landis, head of the anti-crime citizen's group Silence is Violence, echoes a vibration making the rounds in around New Orleans: things don't feel as safe as they did before. That's a frightening thought in a city where violent crime is common and the murder rate once led the nation.
Crime seems to go up with the temperature, nationally and in New Orleans.
Midway through the month, the murder count stood at 113. That's two more than the same time last year. But the numbers don't tell the full story; many crimes of violence have involved multiple victims.
This year, there also is a sense the police department is in disarray. Police and residents alike agree on that.
The police department has been hit with a wave of bad news - two officers convicted in the beating death of a man, three in connection with the murder of a man whose body was later burned in a car, police arrested in a prostitute sting and for DWI. An assistant superintendent was found guilty of neglect of duty. Officers are getting in hot water for making racist remarks and breaking department rules.
The Justice Department issued a scathing report on the department, saying police officers have often used deadly force without justification, repeatedly made unconstitutional arrests and engaged in racial profiling.
And of course there is the trial over shootings at the Danziger Bridge, in which five current or former officers are accused of gunning down unarmed civilians after Hurricane Katrina and then trying to cover it up. Several former officers have already pleaded guilty and are testifying against them.
It's added up to sagging morale on the force, according to Michael Glasser, president of the New Orleans Police Association.
The pride police should be able to take in their profession has taken a tremendous blow, Glasser said. About 600 current officers were hired after Katrina hit in 2005, but they are burdened by the department's performance after the storm.
The poor morale, coupled with the loss of benefits such as take-home patrol cars - standard in much of the state's law enforcement - has contributed to an exodus of officers.
During summer, the pace of the city traditionally slows down. This is when hidden French Quarter patios come alive, and when twilight sends residents to the front porch or stoop hoping to socialize and catch a cooling breeze.
But this summer some people are opting to stay inside, and it's more than the air conditioning sending them there.
Baty Landis, head of the anti-crime citizen's group Silence is Violence, echoes a vibration making the rounds in around New Orleans: things don't feel as safe as they did before. That's a frightening thought in a city where violent crime is common and the murder rate once led the nation.
Crime seems to go up with the temperature, nationally and in New Orleans.
Midway through the month, the murder count stood at 113. That's two more than the same time last year. But the numbers don't tell the full story; many crimes of violence have involved multiple victims.
This year, there also is a sense the police department is in disarray. Police and residents alike agree on that.
The police department has been hit with a wave of bad news - two officers convicted in the beating death of a man, three in connection with the murder of a man whose body was later burned in a car, police arrested in a prostitute sting and for DWI. An assistant superintendent was found guilty of neglect of duty. Officers are getting in hot water for making racist remarks and breaking department rules.
The Justice Department issued a scathing report on the department, saying police officers have often used deadly force without justification, repeatedly made unconstitutional arrests and engaged in racial profiling.
And of course there is the trial over shootings at the Danziger Bridge, in which five current or former officers are accused of gunning down unarmed civilians after Hurricane Katrina and then trying to cover it up. Several former officers have already pleaded guilty and are testifying against them.
It's added up to sagging morale on the force, according to Michael Glasser, president of the New Orleans Police Association.
The pride police should be able to take in their profession has taken a tremendous blow, Glasser said. About 600 current officers were hired after Katrina hit in 2005, but they are burdened by the department's performance after the storm.
The poor morale, coupled with the loss of benefits such as take-home patrol cars - standard in much of the state's law enforcement - has contributed to an exodus of officers.
Although the department is budgeted for 1,380 officers, the actual force is believed to have slipped to 1,300 or below. There is speculation that when officers out on long-term disability and on loan to other crime-fighting operations are counted, there may be fewer than 1,200 patrolling the streets.
There was no police academy class in 2010 and doesn't appear there will be one in 2011. If there is one in 2012, it will still be almost a year before those recruits will be able to work the streets without supervision.
Glasser said cops are also unhappy because although there are a lot of programs designed to enhance police image or make for good PR, there is no solid crime-fighting strategy.
Glasser said it feels like the defense and offense has not been given a game plan, but a lot of effort is going into building up the cheerleading squad.
Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas, who took over the department about a year ago, has enacted a number of programs designed to get police into positive situations - visiting neighborhoods and knocking on doors, handing out anti-crime literature - that sort of thing.
People feel there is no follow through with the programs, however, Landis said. Police show up while news crews are there as they interact with citizens in PR opportunities, she said, but then residents seldom see them again.
A spokeswoman for Serpas said that although the chief would like to talk about his successes, he didn't have the time to speak with an Associated Press reporter. He was at a luncheon, then doing a television interview, then taping a television spot.
But as gunshots still ring out, improving the department's image is going to take a lot more than a public relations program.
