The murder rate in New Orleans is holding steady.
It has been for several months. But, this is not a good thing…
It is currently 8-10 times the national average!
And… in 2006 New Orleans had a higher violent death rate than Iraq did!
New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley, left, and Mayor Ray Nagin listen to a question at a news conference in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. The mayor and superintendent are discussing the increasing murders in the Crescent City. (AP Photo)
In this first week of 2007 New Orleans has already had at least eight muders and this has officials thinking off imposing a curfew to help curb the violence.
The Associated Press reports:
NEW ORLEANS – With at least eight slayings in the city in the first week of the new year, officials are considering a curfew to help stem the violence, the police superintendent said Saturday.
“It’s something we’re just sort of talking about, to see if that will make a difference,” police Superintendent Warren Riley said.
Mayor Ray Nagin, meanwhile, urged residents not to leave the city, still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, because of the recent killings. He said the slayings could be a tipping point that “galvanizes our community” to find solutions.
Some residents have called for a march on City Hall on Thursday to demand action to curb the violence.
