public safety

Uptown synagogues and other Jewish institutions on guard against potential attacks

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The attack Saturday (Jan. 15) on a synagogue near Fort Worth, Texas, where four people were taken hostage, reverberated across the American Jewish community and heightened concerns about safety and security. Those concerns are particularly acute in Uptown New Orleans, the home not only of two synagogues, Temple Sinai and Touro Synagogue, but also of Tulane University’s Hillel and Chabad houses and the Jewish Community Center. 

“What we know, and have known for generations, is that it takes courage to walk through the world as a Jew, and it takes strength to deny those who would harm us the power over our humanity that they seek,” Touro Synagogue posted on its Facebook page after the hostage incident in Texas. “We will continue to be proud of who we are, and we will continue to love others for who they are.”

“We pray for peace for all of those families of all of those who were affected. We pray for the day when we’ll beat our swords into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks, when none will make us afraid,” said Rabbi Daniel Sherman in a video message to his congregation, referencing words from the Jewish prophet Isaiah.

opinion

Viewpoint: It’s time for action from all criminal justice partners

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Every partner in New Orleans criminal justice system is partially responsible for the city’s spiraling crime rate and every partner must do their job to help alleviate it, Councilman at-large JP Morrell said on WWL-TV earlier today (Jan. 20). “People are afraid to leave their homes,” Morrell said. “No one is walking in their neighborhoods.”

The City Council has begun two days of criminal justice hearings, which are already exposing the deep rifts between cops, prosecutors and judges. District Attorney Jason Williams said yesterday that New Orleanians want and deserve to be safe.

roadwork

Emergency water main repair starts up again on Thursday

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From the Sewerage & Water Board

Beginning around 9 a.m. on Thursday (Jan. 20), the Sewerage & Water Board will resume emergency repairs on a 48-inch water main in the 8100 block of Panola Street between South Carrollton Avenue and Dublin Street. While the work takes place, water users in the Central Carrollton, Fontainebleau, Black Pearl, University Area and Uptown neighborhoods may experience lower than normal water pressure. A map of the total affected area is above. Before crews can repair this large water main, the damaged section must be empty.

Sewerage and Water Board

Expect drop in water pressure as S&WB performs emergency repairs

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Sewerage & Water Boardcrews, in partnership with Boh Bros. Construction, will be performing an emergency waterline repair in the 8100 block of Panola Street between South Carrollton Avenue and Dublin Street beginning around 9 a.m.

The repair involves closing down a 48-inch water main that supplements the water supply to the Carrollton, Fontainebleau and Uptown neighborhoods resulting in the potential of lower-than-normal water pressure. A map of affected areas is above. Upper floors of multi-story buildings will potentially see the most impact. Crews will be proactively monitoring water pressure throughout the city, the S&WB said.

opinion

Viewpoint: City leaders must work together to get a grip on crime

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As with most mayors entering a new term, LaToya Cantrell delivered an upbeat message at Monday’s Covid-restricted inauguration on the steps of Gallier Hall: Though New Orleans has endured a tough four years, citizens are resilient and many opportunities lie ahead. “Our time is now, and the best is yet to come,” Cantrell proclaimed. Like many New Orleanians, I soaked up her words, wanting to believe the city will change. It wasn’t long before the latest crime statistics brought me back to reality. Just 13 days into the New Year, seven innocent people have died.

opinion

Viewpoint: Crime and Covid will not mix well with Carnival

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It’s Twelfth Night. I rushed out this morning to the King Cake Hub’s annual Carnival Kick Off Party, held this year at Zony Mash Beer Project. As I surveyed all the offerings, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of impact Mardi Gras will have on Covid and crime, both of which continue to break records. Carnival should be a record-breaking event as well. People are tired of being cooped up and want to celebrate.

Mardi Gras

Carnival 2022 parade changes leave out Magazine Street, Thoth’s altruistic route

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All Carnival krewes will see route changes for 2022 Mardi Gras, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced Tuesday (Dec. 21). The Magazine Street leg of many parade routes has been eliminated, she said at a press conference. Magazine Street — where neighbors gather for a more laid-back parade experience — is a favorite viewing spot for many Uptown residents. The changes are necessary, officials said, because of staff shortages in the city’s public safety agencies, including the police, emergency medical and fire departments.

Traffic advisory: Work set to begin on Magazine Street reconstruction in Audubon Park

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From the Mayor’s Office

New Orleans Department of Public Works and Louisiana Department of Transportation contractor Hard Rock Construction will begin construction on Magazine Street in and near Audubon Park next week. On Jan. 4, 2022, crews will begin lane closures on Magazine Street from Leake Avenue to West Drive to begin sewer and water line work on the first phase of the project, on the river side of Magazine. During this phase of work, eastbound traffic will be detoured to St. Charles Avenue via Broadway Street.

roadwork

Traffic advisory: Nashville and Clara intersection to close for one week

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From the Mayor’s Office

On Monday (Dec. 20), weather permitting, the city’s Public Works’ contractor, Boh Bros. Construction, will close the intersection of Nashville and Clara streets to vehicular traffic for approximately one week to accommodate construction on the Audubon Group A project. Residents in this area are being notified of the closure via neighborhood canvass, according to RoadWork NOLA. During this time, crews will conduct exploratory work around the underground water lines.

bike lanes

City refurbishes bike lanes on the Broad Street overpass

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The Department of Public Works and its contractor Pavement Markings last week completed work on the Broad Street overpass that featured upgrades and maintenance on the bike lanes between Third Street and Tulane Avenue. The wide bollards on the overpass were replaced with narrow delineator flexposts to allow for regular cleaning by the city’s bike lane sweeper. The renovation of the bike lanes also included refreshed roadway markings, overall cleaning and green bike lane surfacing. “We recognize that infrastructure maintenance is just as important as the infrastructure work itself,” said Josh Hartley, the acting director of the city’s Department of Public Works. The protected bike lanes were added to the Broad Street overpass in 2019 to more safely connect Mid-City and Uptown neighborhoods, Hartley said.