FAGAN: New Crime Stats Show New Orleans Murders Up 70 Percent

The first quarter crime stats for 2017 are in and they show a dramatic increase in murders over first quarter 2016. In 2016, 30 people were murdered in New Orleans in the first quarter of 2016. This year 50 have been killed in the same time period. The increase in the murder rate is the highest of all crime categories comparing this year ‘s first quarter to last.

The second largest increase came with assaults with 434 assaulted in the first quarter of 2016 and 560 in the same time frame this year. Assaults are up a third this first quarter over last years.

Crimes categorized as theft and violent are up double digits this year’s first quarter over last.

Rape saw the biggest decline in first quarter 2016 over this year, down by 12 and a half percent. Rape was the only violent crime that saw a decrease in numbers. Although there was a decrease this quarter over last, rapes have been steadily increasing in New Orleans with 133 reported the first quarter of this year compared to only 33 back in the first quarter of 2013.

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Overall crime for the first quarter 2017 is up 7 percent over first quarter 2016. NOPD reported 4814 crimes during last year’s first quarter. That number rose to 5149 the first quarter of 2017 meaning 335 more crimes were committed in the first quarter of 2017 compared to last year. That averages out to almost an extra 4 crimes a day being committed.

Dan Fagan is a former television news reporter, journalism professor, newspaper columnist, and radio talk show host. He grew up in New Orleans and currently lives there. He is a regular contributor for The Hayride. If you have a news tip for Mr. Fagan you can reach him at faganshow@gmail.com or 504-458-2542.

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