Escaping Crime in New Orleans and Baton Rouge
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, crime rates in Baton Rouge and New Orleans broke records in 2022. This week, Bayou Justice offers survival techniques for visiting, working, or living in these danger zones.
In 2020, Baton Rouge reported violent crime rates exceeding 1,091.8 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the national average. The New Orleans violent crime rate hit 1, 214.5 incidents per 100,000 people, more than double the national average.
By comparison, Chicago’s violent crime rate topped 1,106.5 incidents per 100,000 people, only twenty victims per thousand above the New Orleans average. Surprisingly, New York City, once known for muggings, recorded approximately 300.2 violent crime incidents per 100,000 people, one-third the Baton Rouge rate and one-quarter the New Orleans rate.
As we prepare to ring in the New Year, crime in New Orleans is approaching an all-time high. One day after Christmas 2022, the Metropolitan Crime Commission reported:
“With the murder of Brandon ‘Boogie B’ Montrell in a downtown Rouse’s parking lot, the shooting of a 16-year-old boy on Christmas Day in Central City, and a mass shooting at a Christmas night house party that claimed the lives of two 19-year-olds and injured four others, crime is again on the rise.”
In their final weekly crime report for 2022, the New Orleans watchdog group reported over 274 homicides, a 29% increase over 2021 and the highest homicide count in the city since 2003. In addition, although carjacking incidents are 2% lower than last year, armed robberies skyrocketed in 2022. With 530 reported armed robberies, the New Orleans count is 38% higher than last year, 28% higher than in 2020, and 21% higher than in 2019 during the pre-COVID shutdown.
The non-profit group reported nonfatal shooting incidents were 2% lower at this time in 2021. However, 2022 saw an increased fatality rate in shooting incidents – 31% of the shootings this year resulted in a fatality, compared with 26% of 2021 shooting incidents.
The MCC reports noted that the shooting of six teenagers on Saturday night marked the 10th known mass shooting of 2022, according to the National Gun Violence Archive. The FBI defines “mass shootings” as incidents involving firearms and four or more victims.
According to data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, Allstate Insurance, and Neighborhood Scout, highways in Baton Rouge and New Orleans are also killers.
In addition to New Orleans’ interstate sniper attacks, New Orleans recorded 12.5 traffic fatalities per 100,000, and Baton Rouge reported over 16.5 road deaths per 100,000 residents. Since Metro Baton Rouge has about 830,000 residents, this equates to about 115 fatal crashes in 2022. Likewise, Metro New Orleans has about 1.3 million residents equating to about 160 fatal crashes.
Driving into a high-crime city can be stressful and intimidating. Still, surviving and even thriving in such an environment is possible.
In 2023, add these tips for staying safe and reducing the risk of being a victim of crime to your New Year’s resolutions:
Stay aware of your surroundings: Watch for anything or anyone that seems out of place or suspicious. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation.
Use common sense: Don’t leave your belongings unattended, and don’t walk alone late at night in unfamiliar or unsafe areas.
Use caution when interacting with strangers: Around new people, be cautious accepting rides or favors, don’t reveal personal information, and don’t open your door to strangers.
Keep valuables hidden: Don’t leave valuable items, such as expensive jewelry or electronics, in plain view. Instead, hide them in your home or a safe place when you are out and about.
Stay connected: Make sure you can contact someone in an emergency. Keep your phone charged and with you always, and consider carrying a personal safety device, such as a whistle or pepper spray.
Know the neighborhood: Familiarize yourself with your community and the areas you frequent. Know the safe and unsafe areas, and plan your route accordingly.
Get involved: Consider getting involved in neighborhood programs or initiatives that work to reduce crime in your community. You can help create a safer environment by taking an active role.
Don’t take unnecessary risks: Avoid high-risk activities, such as walking through empty streets or alleys late at night or engaging in illegal activities. These actions increase your chances of being a victim of crime.
These simple safety tips can increase your chances of surviving and thriving in high-crime areas. Remember, your safety is your responsibility, so take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Living in high-crime cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans can be a daunting and stressful experience. Still, surviving and even thriving in such an environment is possible. By taking certain precautions and following some simple safety tips, you can reduce your risk of being a victim of crime and increase your chances of surviving in a high-crime city.