NEW ORLEANS — For the first time in years, crime is down in New Orleans East, data shows the East hasn't seen crime this low since 2019. City leaders, police, and community leaders say it's all thanks to community engagement and policing.
The residents of the East hope the drop in crime could change the perspective of the East.
Aaron White calls New Orleans East home, and that’s exactly why he decided to open Patio 17 Nola on Bullard Avenue five months ago. White said, "I live in New Orleans East, I have been living in New Orleans East since 1993."
He went on to say, "We don't get the same opportunities and dollars as Downtown and the CBD."
According to Metropolitan Crime Commission data, violent crime numbers in New Orleans East haven't been this low since 2019. NOPD Captain Wayne DeLarge is at the helm of the 7th district, he witnesses the firsthand impact of crime reduction.
Capt. DeLarge said, "What we're seeing in the Seventh District commonly referred to as New Orleans East is a reduction in overall crime by 28%."
He went on to say, "As far as violent crime, which is crime against persons, is homicides, armed robberies, nonfatal shootings, and carjackings, we're seeing an overall reduction of 38%."
NOPD says there've been 41 nonfatal shooting victims in the East so far this year, compared to 95 this time in 2023. Capt. DeLarge says they've also reduced response times by five minutes. "That means less retaliations, less families that are feuding," he said,
Councilman Oliver Thomas, a relentless advocate for transforming New Orleans East's image, says the area is shedding its negative stereotype thanks to strong community engagement and a visible police presence.
The councilman said, "It is a moment in history that that community can be proud of."
He went on to say, "The community coming together, they came together to re-brand that community and tell the rest of this region that not only does New Orleans East matter, but it's a great place to work and do business."
Tangee Wall with New Orleans East Matters has lived in the east for 35 years, she agrees with Councilman Thomas, that strides have been made. She says, however, the work needs to continue, to completely rid the East of its troubled past.
Wall said, "I think that continued engagement, participating in activities that involve the community at large, providing activities for the youth, will help curb this problem."
White said, "The narrative is New Orleans is crime-ridden, crime-ridden and I can attest, that's not true." He says he chose to be a part of the solution, opening a business in an area lacking development.
"New Orleans East is a safe place... It's thriving a bunch of new opportunities for everyone."
The third annual Nola East Festival is set to take place Saturday, September 21st, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Joe Brown Park.
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