NEW ORLEANS – A new task force of 16 officers will patrol city streets during the night and early morning hours, police chief Michael Harrison announced Wednesday.
The announcement comes after a series of violent crimes and calls for more police protection in the French Quarter.
The new task force will pull its officers from administrative and specialty assignments, which include working with schools and on community projects.
Harrison said the force will target crime hotspots from 6:25 p.m. to 3 a.m.
"Their current duties are still very important," said Harrison. "So, we will rotate their days that each will work in this task force. On top of this special task force, we're using every available resource we have to combat violent crime."
The announcement comes as the NOPD struggles with a manpower shortage. A report by Eyewitness Investigator David Hammer showed that on any given day, 300 officers are available to patrol the city.
NOPD spokesman Tyler Gamble said the 300 number of officers available to respond to calls is incorrect. He said the city has "many more officers" available to respond to calls for service.
