Pubdate: Thu, 12 Feb 2004
Source: Times-Picayune, The (LA)
Copyright: 2004 The Times-Picayune
Contact:  http://www.nola.com/t-p/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/848
Author: Henri Wolbrette III
Note: Series-Related Letter to Editor

TAKE STEPS TO HIRE MORE POLICE

The Times-Picayune's in-depth series, "Cycle of Death," is bringing to 
light horrifying tales of violent crime in our city. Central to the series 
is that New Orleans has once again become the nation's murder capital. This 
dubious achievement is not surprising, given the substantial shrinkage of 
the Police Department over the past three years.

One month ago, the New Orleans Police Foundation published a report that 
demonstrated the connection between our high murder rate and our dwindling 
police force. The report provided a three-pronged solution in order to 
increase the size of the department to the 2,000 officers needed for a safe 
city: We must increase pay, reform the promotions system and repeal the 
residency requirement.

A majority of police officers agreed on these interrelated solutions. 
Although the residency requirement is a hot-button issue, 79 percent of 
responding officers believe it should be repealed.

The Times-Picayune has aptly shown that violence in our city has once again 
reached a crisis level. We face a clear choice -- - either implement these 
solutions and make our city safe, or do nothing and allow the problem to 
get worse.

Henri Wolbrette III

New Orleans