Crime Data for Week Ending 30 April 23
Very high profile killings this week
A note about reading these statistics…
We appreciate that the stats go back to 2019 because that’s truly where we should be looking for comparisons: before the covid issues. And in that compare, we are doing rather poorly… yes, improving in the short term, but it’s clear to see that the response to covid worsened crime in New Orleans.
This worsening need not have happened, and we place the blame on national public health officials, state and local health officials. We remind you that at no time did the New Orleans Public Health Department distribute vitamin D at no cost to the public, for example. Instead, local authorities chose lock downs, school closures, bar and restaurant closures, unemployment… the mayor at one point even threatened to take your unemployment check from you if you stepped onto Bourbon Street!
So while we are pleased to see short-term progress, political forces set into motion a context of loneliness, emptiness, fear, and frustration that all needn’t have happened.
the bec
As of April 30, 2023:Â
Homicide Victims: 88
Two homicide victims in the past week, compared with six the same week last year
This represents a 10% decrease in overall homicides since last year, though we remain 126% higher than the same time in 2019.
Nonfatal Shooting Incidents: 148
There have been approximately 213 victims of nonfatal gunshot injuries in 2023, though this number is subject to change as investigations progress.
Note: At the same time in 2022, there had been 158 shooting incidents and approximately 224 nonfatal shooting victims.
Carjacking Incidents: 65
Carjacking incidents are down 45% relative to 2022 – still the biggest decline we are seeing in any major violent crime category since 2022.
Should be noted that the considerable decrease in carjacking coincides with a large (160%) increase in auto theft.
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Armed Robbery Incidents: 160
Reported armed robbery is down 9% since 2022.
Seven armed robberies reported last week, seven during the same week in 2022.
In 2022, there were 1,077 reported auto thefts as of April 30th.
There have been at least 2,794 reported auto thefts to date in 2023, an increase of 160% since 2022.Â
This is an average of 23 stolen cars per day.
Our gratitude to the fine people of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, doing great work!