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Ray Nagin, the mayor of New Orleans, held a meeting with city officials and law enforcement this week to devise a plan to end violent street crimes, which has taken the lives of nine people within the first week of the New Year.

Until now, plans to handle city violence have been vague. Gov. Kathleen Blanco took initiative by putting in a formal request several weeks ago about additional state funding, which would finance an action plan to put a stop to crime.

“We obviously can’t abandon the city,” Blanco said.

Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

Since June 2006—not long after the devastating hurricane wiped out most of New Orleans—$15 million was spent to send in 60 Louisiana police and 300 National Guard troops in addition to other measures taken to safeguard the city.

This funding will keep the troops around only until June 30, 2007.

According to Sen. Mary Landrieu, neighborhoods in New Orleans have become “a haven for criminal activity,” and additional funding is required to end the recent wave of crime.

Landrieu proposed 10 specific and doable actions the state government can take to help, which included bringing in more FBI agents and Drug Enforcement and Administration officials, an emergency grant from the Louisiana Justice Department, and more funding to build a new law enforcement academy and install surveillance cameras in patrol cars in New Orleans.

The cameras would not only be used “to catch criminals but to monitor the activities of police to make sure they’re carrying out their duties in the most responsible and professional manner.”

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