Latest news with #NOPD
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
Scoop: New Orleans brings back controversial gunshot-detecting technology
The New Orleans Police Department is reviving a controversial gunfire-detecting technology in neighborhoods across the city. Why it matters: The city discontinued using the program, called ShotSpotter, more than a decade ago after authorities couldn't show that it reduced crime, among other reasons. The big picture: The ShotSpotter pilot program is expected to start Tuesday in the 5th District and last six months, NOPD spokesperson Karen Boudrie tells Axios New Orleans. The 5th District includes the Marigny, Bywater, St. Claude, St. Roch and the upper and lower 9th Ward. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick previously said she wants to connect ShotSpotter's technology to cameras in the city's Real Time Crime Center so they would turn, span and zoom when gunfire is detected. (2023 presentation) The pilot program is free, Boudrie says. Friction point: National critics say ShotSpotter perpetuates heavy-handed policing in majority Black and Latino neighborhoods while officials contend that it's a useful tool. ShotSpotter's parent company, SoundThinking, says the technology has a 97% accuracy rate and can help first responders arrive quicker to collect evidence or render first aid, even when no one calls 911, writes Axios' Melissa Santos. How it works: ShotSpotter sets up acoustic sensors at the top of buildings or light poles in targeted areas, writes Axios' Russell Contreras. The sensors listen for sounds like pops, booms and bangs, and computer algorithms categorize the noises and triangulate their location, the company says. Suspected gunshots are sent to acoustic experts at 24/7 review centers. Police can listen to the sound via an app and determine how to respond. The process is said to take about 60 seconds. Yes, but: An Associated Press investigation called out "serious flaws" with ShotSpotter,based on thousands of documents and dozens of interviews with public defenders in cities where ShotSpotter is used. Cities such as Seattle, Atlanta, San Antonio and Charlotte have abandoned the technology after investigations questioning its effectiveness, writes Axios' Kyle Stokes. Chicago 's internal watchdog found just 9% of confirmed ShotSpotter alerts led police to evidence of a gun-related crime. Baton Rouge ended its $400,000 annual contract in February with ShotSpotter after 18 years amid budget cuts, according to The Advocate. What's new: ShotSpotter's technology is "much more advanced" than when New Orleans last used it, Boudrie says. Along with increasing response times, she said, the program should help establish speed/direction of drive-by shootings and provide precise timelines for gunfire. State of play: Kirkpatrick has been a proponent since she started in 2023 of using technology to "enhance" crime-fighting techniques. The department now regularly uses drones for surveillance at large events. She's also discussed her desire to use GPS darts during car chases. The department is still looking into these, Boudrie confirmed last week. Until recently, NOPD officers also were getting real-time alerts from Project NOLA's AI-enhanced crime camera network. Kirkpatrick paused those while the department investigates whether they are within the confines of the city's rules, according to the Washington Post. Bryan Lagarde, the owner of Project NOLA, has since pushed back, saying in a now-deleted Facebook post that the alerts could have helped catch the jail escapees earlier. Councilmembers Oliver Thomas and Eugene Green say they are looking at loosening the restrictions at NOPD's request, according to the Times-Picayune. By the numbers: 84% of New Orleans adults surveyed in a recent poll said they support NOPD's increased use of computer analytics and other technologies to solve crimes, according to the New Orleans Crime Coalition.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
New Orleans police celebrate new K-9 unit facility
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the New Orleans Police Department and city leaders cut the ribbon on a new, state-of-the-art kennel facility for the department's K-9 unit. Pikachu, 10,000 fans land in New Orleans According to the NOPD, the new facility features 10 climate-controlled spaces, as well as indoor and outdoor access for kennels, new training equipment, improved lighting and improved water access. The $316,000 project also includes upgrades to fencing and elevation for flood protection. NOPD Lt. Regina Williams said at Friday's ribbon-cutting ceremony that the upgrades have been needed for a while. 'The last K-9 kennels were built in the 1960's. But now, in 2025, we turn the page to a new chapter. A modern, state-of-the-art facility now stands, dedicated to the incredible work of this unit,' said OPSO employee arrested, accused of conspiring to bring drugs into Orleans Parish jail Flash Flood Warning issued for Orleans & St. Bernard parishes 17-year-old shot, killed in St. John the Baptist Parish New Orleans police celebrate new K-9 unit facility Star Equipment Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
NOPD officials release footage from officer-involved shooting incident
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the New Orleans Police Department released and discussed video on Thursday showing an officer-involved shooting incident that happened on May 28. According to the NOPD, the shooting happened in the 3500 block of Marais Street. Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says an officer was responding to a hit-and-run call. From there, the problems started when he ordered the man who was standing outside the car to put his hands up. 'The suspect says to the officer and shouts back over the street traffic, I don't want to shoot you,' Kirkpatrick said. Second in-custody death reported at Jefferson Parish jail The video shows the man get back in the car and take off. 'The fact that this person drove off and ran away, drove away did not meet our policy,' Kirkpatrick said. 'That would have allowed them to pursue.' A short time later officers came in contact with the same vehicle and suspect in an apartment complex, ordering him out of the car. Kirkpatrick says her officers opened fire after the suspect got out of the car and pointed at them like he was holding a gun. 'The officer shoots two rounds and then, takes cover,' Kirkpatrick said. 'The suspect is going to turn to the other officers and make the same motion. And then you're going to see the other officers also start to shoot.' Three officers fired a total of sixteen rounds. 'Stop, stop, stop,' said Sergeant Edwin Patrick. Once it was determined the man was not a threat, Sergeant Patrick told everyone to stop shooting. The suspect arrested shortly after in the 1400 block of Gallier Street. Kirkpatrick commends the officer, saying situations like this are intense. 'These events may start fairly nominal, lower-level type of calls for service, and they just turn on a dime on you,' Kirkpatrick said. 'Yet they're making split-second decisions. And so, this was one in which, clearly there was a threat.' New Orleans public defenders prepared to aid if Antoine Massey, Derrick Groves surrender The Chief stands by the actions of her officers, stating this is another case of an officer trying to help someone and it escalates. The suspect sustained minor injuries, such as cuts and abrasions, and was taken to a local hospital. Kirkpatrick says additional charges have not been filed against the suspect. The investigation into the incident remains with stars of new movie, 'Deep Cover' Man arrested for allegedly giving out face shields to 'suspected rioters' at LA protest Border Report Live: 'You cannot cross through here' Sen. Bernie Sanders brings 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour to Shreveport Hispanic Republicans urge ICE to focus on deporting criminals Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of stabbing girlfriend multiple times in Slidell
SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — A New Orleans man was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly stabbed his girlfriend multiple times while at her home in Slidell. According to the Slidell Police Department, officers responded to a stabbing in the 1300 block of Ninth Street shortly after noon. NOPD officials release footage from officer-involved shooting incident Police say they learned that 36-year-old Bryant Irvin, of New Orleans, had allegedly stabbed his girlfriend multiple times with a knife before fleeing her home. Residents reportedly claimed to have seen him running through the Brugier neighborhood while still holding the knife. Within four minutes of the initial call, police had arrived on scene, found Irvin and arrested him. He was booked into the Slidell City Jail on one count of attempted second-degree murder. The victim remains in critical condition and reportedly received life-threatening with stars of new movie, 'Deep Cover' Man arrested for allegedly giving out face shields to 'suspected rioters' at LA protest Border Report Live: 'You cannot cross through here' Sen. Bernie Sanders brings 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour to Shreveport Hispanic Republicans urge ICE to focus on deporting criminals Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- The Independent
Jury finds New Orleans police officer who shot and killed puppy violated rights but has immunity
A jury in federal court ruled that a New Orleans police officer who shot and killed a puppy had violated its owners' constitutional rights but was shielded from punishment under qualified immunity because of his government role, according to the plaintiffs' attorney William Most. The jury awarded $10,000 in damages for emotional distress to the puppy's owners, to be paid by the city, Most said. An additional $400 was awarded for the rescue dog's market value. The jury found that the city held a degree of liability tied to the officer's actions but was not ultimately responsible for the killing of Apollo the puppy, Most said. The jury ruled the officer violated state laws of negligence and wrongful destruction of property. The jury also found the owners and Burmaster's police partner had some liability in the dog's death, Most added. 'We are so glad to have justice for Apollo,' Most said in a text message. 'We hope that this trial will achieve lasting change in the way the New Orleans Police Department trains its officers to handle animals they meet in the field.' The city and police department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Derrick Burmaster, the police officer, declined to comment. The civil lawsuit arose after the 16-week old, 22-pound (10-kilogram) Catahoula Leopard puppy ran up to Burmaster when he and a police partner entered the couple's yard in response to a report of a domestic disturbance in 2021. Burmaster, who has said he feared Apollo would bite him in the genitals, fired three shots at the puppy with one hand while covering his crotch with the other, court records show. Another larger adult dog had barked and moved toward Burmaster's colleague, who stepped out of the yard before it reached him. Police body camera shows Apollo died in the arms of his distraught owners, who later were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to their lawyer. 'How could you shoot a puppy?' screamed Apollo's owner, Julia Barecki-Brown, immediately after the incident, footage shows. 'This is the love of our lives.' In footage, Burmaster repeatedly apologized but also asked why they had let the dogs out. Multiple internal police investigations found Burmaster's actions violated department policies. The department's Use of Force Review Board unanimously ruled the shooting was unjustified. Police investigators stated that Apollo did not pose a threat. Burmaster did not consider alternative options such as kicking the dog or using a Taser, investigators noted. In violation of department protocol, he was not wearing body armor or equipped with a baton. This is the second time he has fatally shot a dog, court records show. Apollo's owners, Barecki-Brown and her husband Derek Brown, sued Burmaster and the City of New Orleans in 2022. In July 2023, after a federal judge ruled that the lawsuit could move to jury trial, department leadership cleared Burmaster of wrongdoing for his use of force during the final step in the internal review process. The city's Independent Police Monitor Stella Cziment criticized the department's reversal and told The Associated Press that she disagreed with the decision to clear Burmaster of misconduct in the aftermath of a civil lawsuit. 'The claim that the NOPD 'reversed' in response to the civil lawsuit is spurious,' the City of New Orleans said in a Wednesday statement. 'Prior to the filing of the lawsuit, the NOPD had not reached a final decision regarding disciplinary action for Officer Burmaster.' The city noted that Sgt. David Duplantier, a police training academy instructor, issued a report on Oct. 12, 2021 — after the first two internal reviews — finding that Burmaster 'acted properly' because he believed he was at risk of imminent harm. Long-standing federal oversight of the city's police department put in place after a decades-long history of misconduct and culture of impunity is in the process of winding down. Department leaders have sought to reassure the public that they have built a system of transparency and accountability. ___
