By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-966059.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Mayor Landrieu has named former New Orleans City Councilman James Carter as the newly created Criminal Justice Commissioner. He says Carter will coordinate efforts of the criminal justice system in a new war room established to combat the murder rate.
Landrieu says the city is making strides in overhauling the police department, streamlining the budget and clearing away blighted buildings. He's calling on the entire city to get involved.
"For too long, we've been waiting on somebody else to save us. We've been waiting for somebody to pick us up. Waiting for somebody to help us out. They're not coming. We can't wait any longer. We must proclaim that together New Orleans is no longer a city that hope forgot, but now is a city of infinite possibilities."
He says the city's recreation department will expand services this summer for children. He says there will be more summer jobs for teenagers. And he's asking residents to attend a summit he's offering this summer on fighting crime.
For WWNO, I'm Eileen Fleming