Viewpoint: Who will take the lead in addressing the city’s crime epidemic?

Watching yesterday’s special City Council meeting on crime was very painful. It put a spotlight on the fear, frustration and anger of thousands of New Orleanians who recognize that the city has probably never been so unsafe. Voters also realize that New Orleans political, business, civic and grassroots leaders are not working together as a team. No one person appears to be in charge.

While many government leaders are making worthwhile suggestions, the proposed solutions to a safer city are all over the place. Where is Mayor LaToya Cantrell when her leadership is sorely needed? Is City Council President JP Morrell better positioned to take the reins?  

Teenager shot to death in Central City

An 18-year-old was shot to death Wednesday morning in Central City, the New Orleans Police Department reported. Media reports say his family witnessed the fatal shooting. The New Orleans Police Department’s Homicide Section is investigating a shooting that left a male teenager dead. The offense occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m., at the intersection of Rev. John Raphael Jr Way and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. According to investigators, Sixth District officers responding to a call of a shooting found the victim inside a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Benjamin Franklin middle school to celebrate its move into Laurel Street campus

Benjamin Franklin Middle Mathematics & Science School will hold a ceremony Friday (Jan. 20) to celebrate its move to the Agnes L. Bauduit campus in East Riverside. The charter school for grades six through eight took over the building at 3649 Laurel St. in the fall of 2o22, moving from its temporary home on Nashville Avenue. The Laurel Street building recently housed the New Orleans Accelerated High School, part of a local network of public alternative schools.

Fatal shooting reported in Lower Garden District

A man was shot to death in the Lower Garden District early Tuesday (Jan. 17), the New Orleans Police Department reported.

Sixth District officers responding to a report of a shooting at Erato and Constance streets discovered the victim at about 5:30 a.m. He had sustained a gunshot wound and was declared dead at the scene.

Martin Luther King Day events emphasize peace amid the city’s escalating violence

The city has a full slate of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events planned for the holiday weekend, with the preeminent event taking place on Monday (Jan. 16), the national holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader. Events include concerts, a day of service, art exhibits, worship services, and Monday’s march and ceremony to commemorate King during 60th year since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. As street violence escalates in New Orleans — the nation’s murder capital in 2022 — organizers are emphasizing King’s message of nonviolence throughout the weekend’s events. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a symbolic staple of peace in our communities who spoke passionately of unifying our country nonviolently and truly believing the one way to end injustices in our communities is through non-violent approaches,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell in a press release.