New Orleans officials say the police department has shortened response times by reorganizing shifts and putting experienced officers back on the streets. They say the department could be even better – if it gets more money.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu says a recruitment push is paying off.
“We’re hiring more police officers aggressively – 150 this year with plans to add more if the millage passes," Landrieu said.
That tax increase will be decided by voters Saturday. It would benefit police and firefighters with a boost on property tax bills for 12 years. They could say no.
Police Superintendent Michael Harrison:
“To me that would be catastrophic because we would not be able to grow. We will continue to stress the few officers we have to deal with the increasing demands of the community, increasing special events that come to our very popular city," Harrison said.
Harrison says if the measure fails, the department funding will be frozen at paying for the current staff of 1,266 officers. It wants a force of 1,600 by 2020.
“We need a much larger, more effective police department," Harrison said.
The measure has the support of the Bureau of Governmental Research.
