New Orleans murder rate ten times national average

There is probably not a worse place in the US that Hurricane Katrina could have hit. This article was written 10 days before the hurricane arrived.

BIG EASY MURDER RATE TEN TIMES NATIONAL AVERAGE

August 19, 2005....For the 19th time in the past 20 years, New Orleans has exceeded 200 murders. What is so disturbing is that it is only August and gruesomely high mark has already been exceeded. Where is the outrage? Where is the action? New Orleans is in the midst of a crisis, but the people have become so desensitized to the violence that the response is mere lethargy.

New Orleans has so many incredible selling points—culture, food, people, history, architecture, festivals, charm and more; however, all of the attractiveness of New Orleans means nothing if citizens and tourists cannot feel safe. The summer of 2005 has been a violent one for New Orleans. The city’s murder rate is now 10% higher than last year and ten times the national average.
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As the murder rate of many cities is falling, the rate is surging in New Orleans. Drugs and poverty reign supreme in many of the poor neighborhoods in the city, but many cities face a similar problem. What make it worse in New Orleans is the lack of community response, inexperience prosecutors, irresponsible judges who allow criminals to be released from jail, and most importantly, a lack of police officers on the streets.

New Orleans only has 3.14 officers per 1,000 residents, while the rate is double in many big cities, such as Washington D.C. Experts say that a police force of less than 1,700 is trying to do a job that calls for at least 2,200 officers.

 

Re: New Orleans murder rate ten time national average

My point is exactly what the article says is the point. New Orleans was saddled with high crime, drugs, poverty, and an insufficient police force way before the hurricane arrived. There were a plethora of issues which came together, created a smoldering powder keg, and Katrina was merely the fuel to the fire. The city and state government was not up to the task before the mess and certainly didn't step up to the plate when needed. There is probably not another city in the US which would've experienced the massive failures and chaos after such a traumatic event.

 

Re: New Orleans murder rate ten time national average

Uhh, that is not true. 67% of New Orleans is black, however, statewide it's only 33%. So, the probably that 70% of the city and state government is black is extremely unlikely. Regardless, that really is irrelevant to this thread.

 

Re: New Orleans murder rate ten time national average

I don't recall looting, gangs, inadequate law enforcement, and pre-hurricane evacuation as a problem in Biloxi.

 

Re: New Orleans murder rate ten time national average

Small potatoes compared to New Orleans.