You’ve surely read about New Orleans’ efforts to curb thievery, assault, and straight up murder this past year. Programs such as the latest wide-ranging one involving citizen surveillance have residents and activists on edge and concerned, while others in tourist havens such as the French Quarter demand immediate action, from street barriers to more troopers. We seem to be dealing in various extremes, trying to save as many lives as possible by throwing everything against the wall and seeing what sticks.

Have we reached a turning point with 2018?

According to The Times-Picayune, we ended the year with 145 murders, the lowest in almost half a century. It’s the second year in a row that’s seen a dip in the murder rate, but more than likely is still too soon for a victory lap of sorts.

Some weeks would see a shooting a day, some more than that even. And the suspected gang-related mass shooting from July is still unaccounted for, which is an important note/blemish to this new record, not to mention to the difficulties faced by our criminal investigative institutions.  

The article from The TP points to maintaining an optimistic if highly concerned mindset amid this report. How did we get here? There are no easy or definitive answers as of yet. A new year brings new opportunities for change, but for the families and friends of victims, this change hasn’t come fast enough.

We’re not there … yet. And won’t be for some time.

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