NEW ORLEANS — The new year could bring new laws on crime. In recent months, Louisiana’s Violent Crime Task force has been evaluating pressing issues in the state. On Thursday, they announced their findings and five recommendations for the legislature in 2024.
The brand new violent crime task force is giving lawmakers their thoughts. First on their list of recommendations, is making crime data and court information more accessible in efforts to prioritize the protection of victims over the privacy of their offenders.
They also call the rise in juvenile crime a crisis, saying the number of juveniles prosecuted for a violent crime jumped 56% since 2016.
They’re recommending harsher consequences for those juveniles for violent felons caught with guns.
The board also wants to reward offender rehabilitation programs performing best in the state.
The fifth recommendation is to incentivize recruitment, retention, and support for law enforcement during historic shortages during historic lows.
Former NOPD Chief Eddie Compass says addressing mental health should be part of a comprehensive approach.
“A lot of the crime is involved with individuals with mental health, but you need people to diagnose that,” Former NOPD Chief Eddie Compass said.
This was the approach he used fighting crime in New Orleans.
“It has to be holistic. You have to look at the problems we are attacking. You have to look at methodology,” Compass said.
Task Force Member Rep. Nicholas Muscarello says he has plans to address it next session.
“What the bill will actually do, is it will allow us as a condition of probation and parole, require that they receive mental health rehabilitation,” Rep. Nicholas Muscarello said.
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