Check the stats...

• According to Nola.com statistics, 2015 ended with 164 homicides. This indicates a rise in murders following a previous two-year decline.

• We ended 2016 with a murder rate of 175; the highest in four years.

• At the beginning of January 2018, New Orleans is already at 19​ homicides.

• Per capita, New Orleans has exceeded Chicago in shooting incidents.                          

 One homicide is too many.

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Causes:

• Concentrated poverty. Violence and illegal activities are often the result of a "survival of the fittest" mentality due to lack of resources. 50% of New Orleans' black children live in poverty. 50 PERCENT!

• Failing schools. Louisiana's education system is currently ranked the lowest in the nation.

• Gun pipeline. A total of 604 guns were reported stolen in 2016. 

• Lack of economic opportunity. New Orleans is ranked last among the nation's list of cities with economic prosperity. 

• Racial disparities. In 2013, the median income for Black families in New Orleans was $25,102. For white families, it was $60,553.

• Lack of mental health services. A city trying to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in history has little to no investment in mental health.

• Hatred, jealousy, nonsense. Petty arguments and disagreements that end in violence... "pop-shooting" in crowds of people... like for what?

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Solutions:

• A comprehensive crime strategy that addresses the causes and tackles crime at the root. Investing in police presence, traffic cameras, and a new jail is not a deterrent to crime. 

• Placing education and mental health at the forefront of the city's agenda. We invest in tourism to ensure the safety of our visitors, but not the well-being of our own citizens. 

• Increasing teacher salaries. Children spend more time at school than they do at home. Therefore, educators that are dedicated, qualified, and have a genuine concern for the children that they teach are necessary for producing productive members of society.

• Mandatory de-escalation/conflict resolution workshops implemented in middle and high schools.

• State-of-the-art community centers  that provide resources, job opportunities, and family assistance in every urban neighborhood.

• Advocating for higher minimum wage. $7.25 an hour is not a livable wage, especially not for a single parent and/or someone living in poverty.

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