By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Caddo Parish Commissioners voted 11-1 to remove a Confederate flag from outside the Caddo Parish Courthouse in Shreveport this afternoon. Nov. 4, 2011: This story has been corrected to reflect the Louisiana Supreme Court appeal. The third national flag of the Confederate States of America, adopted in […]
Author Archives: Matt Davis
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Overall crime may be lower, but council wants NOPD to bring down homicides
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas faced tough questioning this afternoon from a skeptical City Council about how his well-publicized reforms are addressing the city’s homicide rate. The chief came armed with a sheaf of statistics to support his efforts, but council members were not receptive just two days […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Councilwoman blasts Landrieu for not changing the way sheriff gets paid
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Councilwoman Susan Guidry criticized Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s administration Tuesday for failing to change the way it pays for inmates housed at the city’s jail. Guidry’s displeasure came out as the council continued its review of Landrieu’s proposed 2012 budget. The hearing Tuesday reviewed the budgets of the […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
With 20 percent ignoring costs, council pushes city to collect delinquent trash fees
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s top lieutenant faced pressure from the City Council Monday after stepping in to defend one of his department heads for only collecting 80 percent of the city’s trash fees. Chief Administrative Officer Andy Kopplin stepped in to protect Chief Financial Officer Norman Foster after […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Juvenile jail — a.k.a. 'Youth Study Center' — draws fire in studies by advocacy groups
Records obtained by The Lens continue to raise questions about safety and conditions at the Youth Study Center in Gentilly. Image courtesy Kevin Henry, Fox8 News. By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Recent disciplinary actions at the city’s juvenile prison, along with a pair of damning new reports, raise fresh questions about the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Sheriff blocking reform, says councilwoman, causing group to delay decision on jail size
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is delaying a criminal-justice reform measure that would let New Orleans make a final decision on the total number of beds in his jail, the councilwoman most involved in pushing for that measure said this afternoon. Click here to watch Lens reporter […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Landrieu saying little about two no-bid contracts given to Gusman worth $1 million
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | For the second time in a year, Mayor Mitch Landrieu has used an intergovernmental agreement to funnel city money to Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman without seeking bids on the work or showing why Gusman’s services provide the best value to taxpayers. The two contracts likely will […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Occupy New Orleans protesters settle in
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A week after 400 people marched through New Orleans in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York City, about 50 people continue to occupy Duncan Plaza, opposite City Hall. The group, which has no leaders and strives for consensus in its decisions, voiced a variety […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Gusman plans to pay deputies working city detail; unpaid hours reach back to May
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman admitted today that he has not paid thousands of dollars to reserve deputies working a security detail at the city’s auto impound lot since May, and he said he intends to pay them soon. Click here to watch Lens reporter Matt Davis […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Occupy New Orleans protest draws large crowd and mixed reactions
The Lens wants readers’ impressions of the protest. See end of story for instructions on how to connect with the Public Insight Network and comment on whether you identify with protest goals and messages.