NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department is addressing recent posts by the Instagram account EmpowerYouNOLA, which has shared names and photos of juveniles allegedly involved in criminal investigations.
The social media account, which has gained attention in the city, posted images and identifying details of several young individuals, allegedly connected to ongoing cases under investigation by the NOPD.
The department quickly distanced itself from the posts, emphasizing that the information shared by the account had not been verified or confirmed by the police.
"I am reaching out to address recent social media activity by the Instagram account EmpowerYouNOLA, which has been posting names and photos of juveniles allegedly involved in criminal investigations," said the NOPD in a statement. "The New Orleans Police Department wants to make it clear that these posts are not affiliated with NOPD, nor have we confirmed the names or details shared as individuals arrested by our department."
“It is important to note that sharing the personal information or images of juveniles in this manner is unlawful. Additionally, any individual—whether arrested or not—is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the NOPD spokesperson said.
NOPD sent a statement to WWL stating, "To clarify, while these posts may not violate Louisiana law, they raise important concerns about the potential for misinformation."
The department’s statement also stressed the legality, ethical concerns, and dangers surrounding the publication of personal information of minors.
"The NOPD remains committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals, particularly juveniles, and to upholding the principles of due process. We encourage the public and media to rely on official NOPD communication channels for accurate and verified information."
The department has urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified details and to respect the investigations.
"If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring responsible reporting."
EmpowerYouNOLA responded to the backlash, with another post and the caption “Just got a call. Just for the record. Juveniles that commit violent crimes like threatening to shoot a school and kids is open to the public”.
NOPD said the department is comitted to ensuring that all public communications are accurate and responsible.
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