National

N.O. Experiences Historic Lows in Murder

Published

12 years ago

January 27, 2015

New Orleans police officer J. Almedia stands on patrol outside the Superdome, site of Super Bowl XLVII, Jan. 29, 2013, in New Orleans. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)

by Mason Harrison
Special to the NNPA from the Louisiana Weekly

Three years after kicking off the much-ballyhooed NOLA for Life murder reduction strategy, Mayor Mitch Landrieu is touting the program’s success in the new year as the city witnesses a sharp decline in its decades-long recalcitrant murder rate, yielding the city’s oft-repeated moniker as the nation’s murder capital. Landrieu praises the effort as an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to crime intervention through public-private partnerships crafted to prevent violence, beef up gang prosecutions and increase job opportunities for thousands of mostly young Black men operating at the margins of the city’s economy.

In 2014, the city tallied 150 murders, a number not seen since 1971. When adjusted for population size, the figure is the lowest total number of murders in New Orleans since 1999, says Charles West, director of the city’s innovation delivery team. Last year’s drop in murders comes on the heels of previous crime figures stemming from 2012 and 2013, something, West says, is tied to NOLA for Life. “Looking at the path we’ve taken, we’re experiencing three straight years of reduced murders,” West says.

Landrieu hails the historic murder lows, but cautions stakeholders to be aware that “we have a long way to go,” according to an early January statement from his office touting the 40-year low. The mayor, who won office in 2010 promising to tackle the city’s nationally known murder rate, says he remains “fully committed” to decreasing murders while not neglecting efforts to reduce overall crime in the city.

But the challenge of beating back crime in general remains a sore spot for many residents. “A drop in the number of murders is good,” says Rafael Goyeneche, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, but that only reflects one percent of the crime in the city.” Goyeneche says most of the city’s 300,000 residents are not faced with an everyday threat of being murdered, but remain at risk for being victims of other crimes. “Violent crime remains a problem,” he says, such as armed robberies and sexual assaults, “and it shouldn’t matter where you live, we want a city where, ultimately, there is no crime.”

Susan Guidry, chair of the City Council’s criminal justice committee, echoes the crime commission. “I am grateful for the progress we have seen so far, though we face serious challenges in combating violent crime that will continue as long as NOPD remains woefully understaffed.” Guidry has been at the epicenter of efforts to boost manpower at a time when the department is shrinking.

Dr. John Penny, a criminologist at Southern University of New Orleans, calls the ongoing drop in the city’s murder rate encouraging, but stops short of linking the decrease to the mayor’s NOLA for Life program. “I think it’s really hard to make a definitive statement about whether the two things are related,” he says. “When you look at a statistical fall like that you have to look at other variables, such as population shifts. A lot of folks didn’t come back after Katrina. The murder rate was so high after the storm because many returning gang members were trying to reestablish their territories set before the hurricane.

Penny also says murder rates can fall due to changes in victim behavior. “Criminals look for people who are vulnerable. We can see an uptick in activity in the French Quarter, which is widely publicized. Things like that can cause people to not walk alone or to stay out as late, frustrating criminal behavior.” Penny says police statistics should not be ruled out as something affecting the city’s low murder rate. “If someone is shot, but dies later from his gunshot wounds, that may not be classified as a murder.”

Despite local criticism of the police department over crime reclassifications in recent weeks, the department touts the falling murder rate as the result of effective policing. “The progress we’ve made over the past three years is real and remarkable,” says police superintendent, Michael Harrison. The city’s new top cop says long-term crime reduction, coupled with the murder reduction strategy, includes moving desk officers to patrol and deploying reserve officers and creating task forces to tackle crime hot spots.

Targets of the murder reduction plan include the Central City, St. Roch, Behrman and Little Woods communities. Barbara Lacen-Keller, chair of the Central City Partnership, lauds the mayor’s efforts while defending an area she has championed for years. “I think when we talk about crime, we have to understand that there are pockets of crime in certain neighborhoods and I wouldn’t even call them hot spots. So, whether people feel safe or not really depends on where they live in a particular part of town.” She co-founded the partnership 20 years ago, in part, to work with residents to address housing, education, health, crime and economic development issues. “We created the comeback committee,” says Lacen-Keller, dubbed the “Mayor of Central City,” “which was a partnership with officers of the 6th District, to target high crime areas and we lobbied for the creation of the new district police station.”

Projects like CeaseFire New Orleans, a Central City-based murder reduction effort, complement decades of groundwork done to reduce crime in one of the city’s history-filled neighborhoods, says Lacen-Keller. “I support CeaseFire; this is a program that has had success in Chicago and Boston and I am particularly glad to see that work is being done with boys and girls, especially the work to reach shooting victims while they are still hospitalized to decrease the number of retaliatory shootings that we see in our city.”

West calls CeaseFire, a component of NOLA for Life, “one of the most evidenced-based programs that’s been replicated elsewhere to be effective by involving outreach, violence interrupters, using a risk reduction plan, connecting participants to workforce training, and creating direct intervention.” In 2014, West says, Central City reported a 31 percent drop in shootings, along with a murder tally that fell by 11 percent compared to 2012, when the NOLA for Life campaign got underway. West says the program is on the verge of expanding to schools requesting the effort to reduce student violence.

But shootings in New Orleans remain high, says Penny. “We had 300 shootings last year. I don’t know if that’s because all of these guys are a bad shot or if people are just getting lucky. I can’t explain it—it’s an odd juxtaposition.” West, however, compares the city’s high number of shootings with its reduction in gun deaths to similar phenomena in other major cities. “We see the same thing in New York and Chicago. But our focus, of course, is maintaining the success we’ve experienced in the last three years.”

Portions of NOLA for Life include what organizers dub “call-ins,” where gang members meet with elected officials, law enforcement agents, and various social service providers who extend options other than a life of crime and repeat incarceration. In 2014, West says, 113 gang members or associates enrolled in various education, job training, housing assistance or substance abuse treatment programs. The programs come at no cost to those who choose to leave gang life and stem from public-private partnerships.

“We’re able to create these opportunities thanks to private partners like members of the New Orleans Business Alliance,” West says. “One of our partners is Ochsner Health System, which provides training, at no cost, to program participants interested in learning how to become a medical assistant.” West says commitments to job training and hiring are the lynchpins in helping the program reach success.

Landrieu has likewise hung the success of NOLA for Life on the program’s ability to create jobs. Yet, 52 percent of Black males, of working age, in New Orleans remain unemployed, excluding those who are underemployed or who have stopped looking for work. Landrieu hosted a symposium in December revealing, in part, the obstacles facing Black male job seekers, including figures demonstrating that just half of all Black male job applicants without barriers to employment secure interviews. “We’re keenly aware of this issue,” West says, “and we’re working to create ways to increase employment.”

Still, the city’s drop in gun deaths is well-received. “We’ve been doing this for a long time,” says Lacen-Keller. “So, am I pleased that we are turning a corner? Yes. Do I believe that we have a long way to go? Yes. Do I think that we can do even better than now? Yes. Do I think we’ll ever be Mayberry? No indeed.”

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Economy

How the Sandwich Generation Can Help Protect Aging Parents’ Finances

One in four American adults now belongs to the “sandwich generation,” balancing the demands of raising children while supporting aging parents. Women frequently bear a disproportionate share of this responsibility, facing significant physical and financial strain. With November designated as Chase Fraud & Scam Prevention Month, caregivers are encouraged to initiate vital conversations regarding financial snapshots and long-term goals. Establishing a proactive plan and building a support system can help secure a family’s legacy while defending against common predatory tactics, and you can read more here.

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2026

Post News Group

By Sponsored by JPMorganChase

Planning and scam prevention tips for caregivers balancing kids and parents

If you’re raising children while also supporting an older parent, you’re likely managing schedules, healthcare needs, day-to-day decisions and even finances. People in this group are often called the “sandwich generation,” which now encompasses one in four adults in the U.S.

Women also often carry a disproportionate share of this responsibility: three in five family caregivers are women. Women are more likely to report physical, emotional and financial strain from caregiving, which can make it harder to protect their own well-being and long-term financial security.

For the sandwich generation, the holidays can be a natural time to talk with parents about money, including how to protect their finances from scams. November is Chase Fraud & Scam Prevention Month – designed to help people recognize common scams, avoid in-the-moment mistakes and better protect their money and personal information.

Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Check In and Make a Plan

Finances can be incredibly personal, and many parents worry that accepting help means losing independence. Start by framing the conversation around peace of mind and organization – not control.

Check in on your finances and long-term plan, too. You’ll be better equipped to care for others when your own financial foundation is secure.

Also consider helping your parents create a “financial snapshot.” J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s guide for supporting aging parents outlines a few considerations:

Location of key accounts: banking, investments, retirement, credit cards, insurance
How bills and recurring expenses are paid
Whether beneficiaries are up to date
Where important documents are stored and who has access

Then ask what goals matter most in the years ahead: staying in their home, supporting family, traveling, planning for healthcare or leaving a legacy. Goals can evolve, so revisit them periodically. Planning tools can help – like J.P. Morgan Wealth Plan, a free digital money coach in the Chase Mobile® app or at chase.com.

A financial advisor can help create a plan tailored to you and your parents’ needs. An estate planning attorney can document your parents’ wishes, including who may act if they cannot make decisions themselves.

Understand Common Scams

Scammers often use urgency, fear, secrecy or affection to pressure people into acting quickly. Recognizing these tactics can help you and your family spot red flags sooner. Common scams include:

Investment scams: Promises of high or “guaranteed” returns with little risk.
Tech support scams: Requests for payment or remote device access.
Impersonation scams: Messages impersonating trusted organizations or loved ones, asking for money, passwords, account details or other personal information.
Romance scams: Online relationships that lead to requests for money.

Chase hosts more than 1,000 free fraud and scam prevention workshops annually, including hundreds across all lower 48 states throughout November.

Stay Proactive and Vigilant

If you or a loved one suspects a scam, slow down and stop communicating with the individual immediately. Contact your bank through a trusted channel to review recent transactions and report the incident to appropriate authorities.

Also consider a few simple steps for protection:

“Trusted Contact Person”: Designate a trusted adult who may be notified about certain online wire activity.
Tech tips: Use unique passwords, multifactor authentication and account alerts, keep devices updated and monitor accounts regularly for unusual activity.
Behavior changes: Watch for secrecy around finances, unusual transactions, unexpected changes to financial documents or pressure from new acquaintances.

You’re Not Alone

Caregiving is demanding, and it shouldn’t be a solo effort. Build a support system – which can include family, friends and professionals such as healthcare providers, attorneys and financial advisors. A thoughtful conversation now can help your parents stay organized and protected in the future.

For free educational resources on planning for yourself and loved ones, visit chase.com/theknow

For more information and practical tips about fraud and scam prevention, visit chase.com/security

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan.

This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC.

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Education

As Progressive Democrats Celebrate ‘Blue Tsunami,’ Oakland Counts Victories

As national Democrats celebrate a significant shift in the midterm elections, local leaders in Oakland are tracking early results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. While Mayor Barbara Lee and several City Council incumbents have secured decisive victories, attention remains fixed on high-stakes school board contests. Progressive candidates currently face strong challenges from opponents backed by corporate funding and local political organizations. With many ballots still uncounted, the final composition of the board and several regional transit measures remain in the balance. Read more.

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2026

Post News Group

By Ken Epstein

Concerns remain over school board races as ‘moderates’ lead progressives

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters has released the first round of election results, though many ballots remain uncounted and results are still incomplete.

Nationally, Democrats, liberals and progressives celebrated Tuesday evening as President Donald Trump was dealt a devastating blow in the midterm election. The Republican Party lost control of the Senate and the House as “Maga” candidates were swept away not just by a ‘blue wave,’ but a ‘blue tsunami.’

In Oakland, incumbent Mayor Barbara Lee, who served two years and ran for a full four-year term, won decisively.

A proposal backed by Lee, Measure EE, also won. The Charter amendment will create a strong mayor system of government while providing the City Council with new checks and balances on mayoral power.

District 2 Councilmember Charlene Wang is leading with 65.62% of the vote. Opponent Nate Adams trails with 34.38%.

District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, ran unopposed for reelection, receiving 14,029 votes.

District 6 Councilmember Kevin Jenkins bested opponent Nancy Sidebotham and District 2’s Charlene Wang also won reelection.

City Auditor Michael Houston is running unopposed for reelection and won 60,773 votes.

Progressive school board members, Jennifer Brouhard (D2) and Valarie Bachelor (D6), supported by teachers and school activists, face serious challenges from candidates backed by pro-corporate funders and the political organization, Empower Oakland.

Arielle Fleisher leads Brouhard 53.49% to 46.51%.

In District 6 with three contending candidates, Alexandra Williams leads with 38.06% of the vote. Incumbent Bachelor has 36.89%, and Leana Powell is trailing with 25.04%.

In District 4, incumbent Mike Hutchinson is narrowly leading a field of three candidates. He received 40.87% of the vote, while Kathryn Camp has 39.92%, and Sylvia Pfeiffer Williams has 19.21%.

In the races for AC Transit Board, Director Joel Young (Ward 3) leads with 53.11% of the vote, Sarah Syed (Ward 4) is ahead with 78.37% of the vote, and Murphy McCalley (Ward 5) leads with 63.07%.

Regional Transit Measure RTM, which would increase sales taxes in five Bay Area counties to shore up BART and other regional transit, was leading in five counties by a combined 62% of the vote.

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Community

Golden State Valkyries Become Bay Area Legends Winning WNBA Championship on Halloween Night

In only their second year as a franchise, the Golden State Valkyries captured the 2026 WNBA Championship with a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Playing before a sold-out crowd at Chase Center on Halloween night, Gabby Williams delivered a historic 30-point performance to earn Finals MVP honors. The victory marks a rapid rise for the expansion team, which has already set league attendance records and surpassed a $1 billion valuation. Fans gathered by the hundreds of thousands this week to celebrate the new Bay Area legends, read more.

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2026

Post News Group

“We’re so proud,” said Mayor Barbara Lee who donned a violet wig on Wednesday at a rally honoring the Golden State Valkyries as the team celebrated its historic 2026 WNBA Championship in Oakland. Photo courtesy of NBC.

By Dr. Y’Anad Burrell Special to The Post

In only their second year as a franchise, the Golden State Valkyries became the WBNA 2026 Champions, with Gabby Williams named WNBA Finals MVP. A Halloween night movie of magic and there was no surprise that the game was sold out, with more than 18,000 fans inside Chase Center while thousands more packed the open space at Thrive Center from hours preceding the game through the final buzzer.

In the decisive Game 7, Williams delivered a legendary performance, scoring 30 points to lead the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-63 championship victory over the Atlanta Dream. Remarkably, 28 of her 30 points came in the second half, setting a WNBA postseason record for points in a half and earning her Finals MVP honors.

The team celebrated its victory on Wednesday with a rally in Oakland followed by a ferry ride to San Francisco’s Embarcadero and then a two-mile parade that drew about 400,000 fans.

Williams has become a symbol of the Bay Area’s impact on the team. Although born in Nevada, Williams has deep family roots in Oakland and has often said the city’s culture, community, and basketball traditions shaped her identity and playing style.

After signing with the Valkyries, she began calling the city home and noting that “there’s no Golden State without Oakland.”

The Valkyries have several ballers who made an impact on winning this series, including Veronica Burton, Tiffany ‘Tip’ Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Kaila Charles, and Cecilia Zandalasini.

Veteran center Kiah Stokes brought championship experience and defensive leadership when she signed a multi-year free-agent contract with the franchise on April 13. A former first-round draft pick out of UConn and a three-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces before joining Golden State, Stokes was recruited by head coach Natalie Nakae, with whom she had previously worked in Las Vegas.

Known as one of the league’s premier rim protectors and rebounders, Stokes quickly became a defensive anchor for the expansion franchise and played a major role in leading the Valkyries to their historic championship run.

The Valkyries have accomplished something extraordinary, proving that a new franchise can make an immediate impact both on and off the court. In their first year, the Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season and set all-time league attendance records. The franchise sold out all home games, reporting 18,064 attendees per game in both seasons — the highest attendance figures in WNBA history. The Valkyries’ success has also translated into extraordinary franchise value. After entering the league by paying a $50 million expansion fee, the organization generated record revenues and rapidly became one of the most valuable franchises in women’s sports, valued at over $! billion.

The WNBA Finals’ deciding game averaged 3.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA playoff game in league history and the most-watched finals game since 1999.

The record audience reflects the league’s growing popularity and has major implications for its future, including higher media rights value, increased advertising revenue, stronger sponsorship opportunities, rising merchandise sales, and greater ticket demand.

The Finals also featured sold-out arenas and record postseason viewership, demonstrating that the WNBA is expanding its commercial reach, attracting new fans, and strengthening its position as a major professional sports league.