Environmental Pollution & Health Risks

History of the Challenge

New Orleans has a long history of vulnerability to natural disasters, crime, and infrastructure failures. From hurricanes and flooding to power grid failures and violent crime, the city has struggled to keep residents safe.

Key historical moments that have shaped public safety challenges:

• Hurricane Katrina (2005): The failure of the levee system led to catastrophic flooding, exposing the lack of emergency preparedness at local, state, and federal levels.
• Hurricane Ida (2021): Knocked out power for over 1 million residents, showing the weakness of Entergy’s power grid and response delays.
• Crime Waves (1980s–Present): Gun violence and homicide rates remain among the highest in the U.S., making public safety a major concern.
• Police Staffing Shortages (2020s): The NOPD lost over 500 officers in recent years, leading to slow response times and lower crime clearance rates.

How We Got to the Present Moment

New Orleans' public safety issues persist due to:

1. Inadequate Disaster Preparedness: Many residents lack access to evacuation plans or emergency resources.
2. Aging Power & Infrastructure Systems: The city’s outdated electrical grid leads to frequent blackouts after storms.
3. High Crime Rates & Slow Police Response: The police department is understaffed and underfunded, leading to slow emergency response times.
4. FEMA & Federal Delays: After disasters, federal aid is often delayed or mismanaged, leaving vulnerable communities stranded.

Current Data on the Issue

• Power Grid Failures: New Orleans' power grid ranks among the least reliable in the U.S., with frequent hurricane-induced outages.
• Crime Rate: The city’s homicide rate is 10 times higher than the national average.
• Disaster Preparedness Gap: 50% of residents do not have an evacuation plan for hurricanes.

Possible Solutions

Disaster Readiness & Resilience

1. Expand Emergency Evacuation Services
• Provide free transportation for low-income and disabled residents during hurricane evacuations.
• Create community-led emergency response hubs with backup power and supplies.
2. Modernize the Power Grid & Improve Infrastructure
• Invest in underground power lines and microgrid technology.
• Strengthen stormwater drainage systems to prevent flooding.

Crime & Public Safety Reforms

1. Increase NOPD Staffing & Community Policing
• Raise officer pay to recruit more police officers.
• Expand community-based crime prevention programs.
2. Strengthen FEMA & Local Disaster Response
• Streamline federal disaster aid distribution to prevent delays.
• Establish year-round emergency preparedness education programs.

Organizations Working on These Solutions

1. City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness - nola.gov/homeland-security
2. American Red Cross - Louisiana - redcross.org
3. Resilient NOLA - nola.gov/resilience

Policy Recommendations

1. Disaster Readiness & Evacuation Plans
• Expand Free Evacuation Services: The city should implement a mandatory evacuation transport program for low-income, elderly, and disabled residents.
• Require Yearly Hurricane Drills: Citywide drills should be conducted in partnership with local schools, businesses, and churches.
2. Power Grid & Infrastructure Upgrades
• Transition to Underground Power Lines: The state should require Entergy to bury power lines in high-risk areas to prevent hurricane damage.
• Expand Microgrid Technology: Invest in solar and battery-powered microgrids to keep emergency shelters operational.
3. Crime Prevention & Police Reform
• Increase Community-Based Policing: Expand programs that focus on officer engagement with local neighborhoods rather than punitive enforcement.
• Create a Gun Violence Reduction Task Force: Establish a special unit focused on illegal gun trade and firearm violence intervention.

Who Should Implement These Policies?

• City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security
• New Orleans City Council
• Louisiana State Legislature

Outside Success Stories

1. New York City, NY - Community Policing Reform
• What Worked: NYC reduced violent crime by 50% between 1990 and 2020 by investing in community policing, officer accountability, and youth intervention programs.
• Lesson for New Orleans: A neighborhood-based policing strategy can rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community.
2. Miami, FL - Hurricane Preparedness Model
• What Worked: Miami developed a real-time flood monitoring system and free evacuation transport for low-income residents.
• Lesson for New Orleans: A citywide early-warning system can improve disaster response.
3. San Francisco, CA - Resilient Power Grid
• What Worked: After experiencing major power outages, SF invested in microgrids and solar-powered emergency hubs to keep hospitals and emergency centers operational.
• Lesson for New Orleans: Microgrid investments could prevent power failures after hurricanes.

On this page

• Environmental Pollution & Health Risks
• History of the Challenge
• How We Got to the Present Moment
• Current Data on the Issue
• Possible Solutions
• Disaster Readiness & Resilience
• Crime & Public Safety Reforms
• Organizations Working on These Solutions
• Policy Recommendations
• Who Should Implement These Policies?
• Outside Success Stories