In response to the City Council’s recent proposal to allocate $2 million toward digital surveillance for youth in New Orleans, the Youth Justice Advocates (YJA) and the Reproductive Justice Action Collective (ReJAC) have issued a joint statement calling for the funds to be redirected toward more constructive solutions that address the root causes of youth challenges.
In their statement, the advocates emphasized the importance of investing in education, opportunities, and community care to create a safer environment for young people. “Education, opportunity, connection, and care keep us safe,” they said. “When our young people’s basic needs are met, and they’re given the opportunity to learn and pursue their passions, they thrive.”
The groups criticized what they see as a longstanding pattern of diverting essential resources from public services, such as schools, in favor of punitive measures. They argue that this approach only perpetuates the cycle of incarceration and community destabilization. “For too long, our elected leaders have siphoned off indispensable resources from our schools and public services, and instead fed the machine of mass incarceration—breaking up families, severing vital community ties, and fueling violence,” the statement continued.
The City Council’s current proposal to invest in ankle monitoring and digital surveillance is seen by YJA and ReJAC as a continuation of this harmful trend. “The only thing ankle monitors and increased surveillance are proven to do is increase the risk of reincarceration,” they asserted, calling for the funds to be redirected to initiatives that are proven to support youth development.
The advocates specifically highlighted programs such as guaranteed income initiatives, like the one piloted by the Rooted School, and the Opportunity Pass, which provides free transportation for young people to access employment and afterschool programs. They believe such investments are more effective in creating lasting safety and opportunities for the city’s youth.
About the Reproductive Justice Action Collective
The Reproductive Justice Action Collective (ReJAC) is a New Orleans-based network that focuses on sharing resources and creating community-based projects through a reproductive justice framework. Their mission is to ensure that everyone has access to reproductive healthcare without judgment, along with access to accurate health information and organizing opportunities within their communities. For more information, visit www.rejacnola.org.
About Youth Justice Advocates
The Youth Justice Advocates (YJA) is a coalition of organizations and community members dedicated to supporting children in New Orleans’ schools, communities, and justice system. They advocate for investing in programs that uplift struggling youth rather than punitive systems. YJA continues to use its Platform for Youth Justice, initially developed for the 2020 District Attorney and judicial races, to hold elected officials accountable and promote a vision for a safer and healthier New Orleans. Learn more about their work here.
