NEW ORLEANS — Deplorable conditions at the New Orleans Police Department headquarters, including broken elevators, broken air conditioning, and rats presumably consuming marijuana in the evidence room led to city and NOPD leaders suggesting the headquarters relocate to a new building on Poydras Street.
However, New Orleans City Councilmember Oliver Thomas is asking CAO Gilbert Montano and NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick to pump the brakes on the idea until it can be further reviewed.
“Not only was there a lack of communication about this viable move, but it seems like there was not a lot of thought put into multiple locations that would provide the best access to the men and women that utilize the headquarters, as well as the citizens to whom access is extremely important,” Councilmember Thomas said in his letter to Montano and Chief Kirkpatrick.
Thomas wants to “take a step back” to review other possible locations for the new NOPD headquarters.
He says he’d like to see the new NOPD headquarters be in a location that is more “community-oriented” with easier parking and that could become a more permanent spot that would add “value to the community.” He also says he’d like to see the new NOPD headquarters be in a location that would add overall access to residents in the city.
Until other locations can be reviewed, Thomas said he is removing his requested Motion from the Consent Agenda.
Thomas’ letter comes after Superintendent Kirkpatrick says the department's headquarters is deteriorating and had hoped to move HQ by the summer.
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