FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   

CONTACT:
Mary Lee Murphy

504.330.0341

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

PDF version

NEW ORLEANS CRIME COALITION RECEIVES $1.5 MILLION

IN FEDERAL

FUNDING TO FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME

Congress designates funds for NOCC priorities

New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Crime Coalition (NOCC) is pleased to announce that

$1.5 million is included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, for the NOCC. Due to the efforts of Senators Mary Landrieu and David Vitter, and Congressmen Anh “Joseph” Cao and Rodney Alexander, who advocated diligently on behalf of the criminal justice needs of New Orleans, NOCC will have these funds to continue the fight against violent crime in New Orleans.

“With this funding, the NOCC can directly impact and assist critical needs in the criminal justice system and the war against violent crime,” stated Jay Lapeyre, Crime Coalition Chair. “For well over a year, the NOCC has worked in close partnership with Senators Landrieu and Vitter, and Congressmen Cao and Alexander, to seek this funding. Without their advocacy and confidence in the NOCC this appropriation would not have been possible.”

Crime Coalition member and 2008 NOCC Chair, Greg Rusovich stated, “These funds, which will be administered through our fiduciary agent, the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, will support the work of agencies that are vital to creating a more efficient criminal justice system in our city including the Public Defenders office, drug treatment, drug court enhancement, funding for additional trial attorneys, remote monitoring of incarcerated individuals, juvenile justice, diversionary programs, and victim witness assistance. We are proud to have the opportunity to support such critical work.”

The NOCC is a consortium of nearly 20 community organizations (listed below) working together to reform our local criminal justice system and to reduce violent crime. Since its founding in 2006, the NOCC has played a key role in obtaining an additional $4.2 million for local criminal justice agencies, and monitoring the expenditure of those funds; transforming the District Attorney’s office; supporting the creation of an independent NOPD monitor; and obtaining city funding for the Orleans Public Defenders Office for the first time. In August, 2009, NOCC conducted the first annual Public Perception survey measuring perception of the New Orleans Police Department’s performance in ensuring the safety of its citizenry. The survey (posted on www.crimecoalitionnola.org) sets a baseline for comparison with the results of future surveys that will serve to guide NOPD improvements.

Member of the New Orleans Crime Coalition

The members of the New Orleans Crime Coalition, who united to urge city leaders to focus police, prosecution and judicial system resources on convicting and incarcerating violent criminals, include The Business Council of New Orleans, Citizens For 1 Greater New Orleans, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Common Good, Court Watch NOLA, Metropolitan Crime Commission, Louisiana Restaurant Association, New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation, Bridge House, Odyssey House, Crimestoppers, GNO Inc., Jefferson Business Council, New Orleans Conventions & Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Puentes New Orleans, Inc., Young Leadership Council, Beacon of Hope, Afterschool Partnership for Greater New Orleans, Living Witness Ministries, Mary, Queen of Vietnam Parish, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Touro Synagogue.

###