I recently finalized plans to leave New Orleans to continue my education. I will be attending the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University to pursue a master’s degree in public administration. Classes will begin in August, and I will be leaving New Orleans sometime in June to spend some quality time with […]
Tag: Eli Ackerman
Posted inCriminal Justice
Ronal Serpas is Landrieu’s choice; big changes are coming to the NOPD
A few hours ago, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced that former NOPD Deputy Superintendent and current Nashville police chief Ronal Serpas will lead the NOPD. Landrieu was enthusiastic and effusive in his praise of Serpas, whom he said presented “clear and away the best resume that many people in the country have seen.” “This is the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
With Landrieu's invitation, federal intervention in NOPD is now a certainty
Mayor Mitch Landrieu earlier today announced in unequivocal terms that he wants the Justice Department to be actively involved in the reformation of the tormented New Orleans Police Department. Landrieu, standing beside more than a dozen community leaders, said at a news conference that he wants the Justice Department to come in and do an […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Coalition wants intervention from feds in NOPD; Landrieu position is still unclear
Earlier today, more than two dozen organizations signed onto a letter addressed to Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, the head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The letter calls on the Department of Justice to intervene in local police departments guilty of civil rights abuse, to sue the NOPD and to obtain a […]
Posted inEnvironment
Bill Ayers seen pouring barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico!
A legitimate debate needs to be had over whether the federal government was fully engaged in the Gulf Coast oil disaster from the moment they should have been. Did the Department of Homeland Security have plans for a catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf, or were they unprepared for what should have been a foreseeable […]
Posted inEnvironment
National discussion on spill needs to focus on coast
Something bothers me about the national discussion about the Gulf Coast oil disaster. It’s not that people are discussing the political implications of the event or even referring to political “opportunities” that may arise from the crisis. What kills me is that the “opportunity” being discussed involves a possible change in how the country will […]
Posted inEnvironment
Waiting is the easy part
The geyser of oil resulting from the Deepwater Horizon offshore platform explosion continues to dump hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico each day. Oil giant BP, which leased the platform and is responsible for stopping the leak and cleaning up the spill, has been unable to activate the blowout […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Ronald Davis or Ronal Serpas
Today, Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu announced that he had whittled down his choices for next NOPD superintendent to two but did not name them. A source with knowledge of the interview process has told The Lens that the two are current Nashville chief and former NOPD Deputy Ronal Serpas and current East Palo Alto top cop […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Confronting the big issues in Baton Rouge (eye roll)
LaBruzzo’s true intentions revealed State Rep. John LaBruzzo’s proposal to randomly drug test welfare recipients passed the House Wednesday evening by a 61-27 margin. It now faces scrutiny in the Senate. LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, stripped his proposal to “prioritize” the testing of pregnant women, which, though problematic for its own reasons, at least allowed LaBruzzo the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Finally cooking with gas: NOPD Superintendent candidates and an emerging fiscal crisis
Mitch Landrieu officially will be mayor of New Orleans next week. So this week, we’re finally beginning to get an idea of what his actual transition will be like – the one in which he actually takes over the job of leading the city. First, the cops: While the NOPD clearly has been at the […]