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People wonder,
is New Orleans a safe place for
visitors and the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering
The answer is, YES. The tourist areas of New Orleans are as safe as those in any big city.
The ratio of police to citizens is actually higher today
than it was prior to Hurricane Katrina:
| Pre-Katrina
Police Force |
Post Katrina Police Force |
| Number of Officers – 1,680 |
Number of Officers – 1,406 |
| Number of Citizens – 455,000 |
Number of Citizens – 300,000 |
| Ratio Police/Citizens – 1:270 |
Ratio Police/Citizens – 1:213 |
 In 2007, New Orleans safely hosted more than
one million visitors for Southern Decadence, ESSENCE
Festival, Mardi Gras celebrations, the New Orleans Jazz &
Heritage Festival, major sporting events, cultural
festivals, and large conventions with tens of thousands of
attendees. They are more than ready to welcome and
take care of everyone who will be at the 2009 ELCA Youth
Gathering!
Testimonials from leisure visitors and travel
industry professionals are available here:
www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/752/sectionID/2/subsectionID/752
Testimonials from business travelers and convention
visitors are available here:
www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/744/sectionID/3/subsectionID/744
Safety in the tourist
areas
New Orleans’ popular tourist areas such as the French
Quarter, Downtown/Central Business District, Uptown, Garden
District, Magazine Street, Warehouse/Arts District and
Convention Center Boulevard continue to maintain a record as
one of the safest and most walkable places for visitors of
any city in America.
Unfortunately -- as in any major city
-- crime does exist, and
in New Orleans, the vast majority of violent crime is
criminal-on-criminal acts which occur in areas of the city
not frequented by tourists.
The New Orleans Police Department is known nationally for
its record in making New Orleans a safe place to visit,
ranging from large-scale events such as Mardi
Gras, to four or five individuals enjoying a weekend
getaway. Today the citizen-to-police ratio is much higher
than it was pre-Katrina and we have backup from a new police
recruit class, the National Guard, and state police troopers
to maintain a visible and serious law-enforcement presence.
ELCA staff and volunteers will be present at Gathering
venues and hotels, community service sites, and can also be
reached through a 24-hour, toll-free, information phone
line. Adult leaders accompanying groups will be required to
attend a special counselor orientation after registering
your group in New Orleans.
Planning for safety with
your group
We all have a shared responsibility in making the
Gathering a safe and meaningful experience of God’s people
gathered in a particular place and time. When preparing with
your youth and parents, create covenants and guidelines that
include safety concerns, such as:
- What to do in an emergency as an individual or group.
- Exchanging cell phone numbers.
- Using the same common sense as you would when
traveling in any city.
- Walking or traveling in a group of 3 or more. Letting adult leaders know where you are going and
who you
are with.
- Being mindful of surroundings and what’s going on
around you.
- Not venturing into areas that are sparsely
populated, particularly after dark.
- Respecting curfews.
- Paying attention to your common sense and intuition.
- Following Gathering guidelines, procedures, and
suggestions related to experiencing the city as
respectful guests and reflective disciples.
The New Orleans Police Department has provided some
safety tips of their own on their Web site: "Tips for
Working, Living & Playing Downtown -- Street
Smart"
https://secure.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=50&tabid=28
.
New Orleans remains a national treasure, a vibrant
community, and a gracious host city for the Gathering. We want everyone who visits it to have a safe
and enjoyable experience... and to return!
Other Web sites you might
find helpful:
Gathering Home
Details
Timeline
Talking Points (FAQs)
New Orleans Links
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