By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A little-scrutinized but powerful government body run by Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is holding a public hearing on its budget on Friday, though scant information on the budget has been made available. The organization is the taxpayer financed Orleans Parish Law Enforcement District. By law, the […]
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Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Coalition urges mayor to 'man up' and fulfill promises on jail size and budget reforms
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A reform coalition, calling for a smaller, more accountably budgeted jail, dropped off two copies of a 2,200-signature petition at City Hall this afternoon, having grown impatient with Mayor Mitch Landrieu for failing to “man up” on the issue. “I think the mayor just needs to step […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Sheriff's deputy arrested after telling investigators he smuggled phones into jail
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | An Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested this weekend and charged with three counts each of possession of contraband and malfeasance in office after admitting that he brought cell phones into the jail for use by prisoners on three separate occasions. The deputy’s arrest comes after […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City won't disclose employee addresses, claiming its records are too scattered
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The City of New Orleans has declined to release the addresses of its employees, saying it has not kept track of whether or not employees want their information kept private. The Lens sought the addresses as part of a public-records request for city payroll information filed on […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
After more than six months, deputies finally get paid for security work at city auto pound
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Sheriff Marlin Gusman finally paid some of the thousands of dollars he owed to reserve deputies who have been working a security detail at the city’s auto impound lot since May. The sheriff is staffing these security spots through a contract with the city. But the city […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council says it can't reveal proposed budget despite open-government group's request
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | The City Council declined today for the second year in a row to give the public an early look at its proposed budget so that citizens can digest it before the council votes to adopt it Dec. 1. Council members said they have been disappointed by the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Weeks after saying the checks were coming, Gusman still hasn't paid deputies for work
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | A month after saying he would do it, Sheriff Marlin Gusman has not paid thousands of dollars to reserve deputies who have been working a security detail at the city’s auto impound lot since May. “I feel like he lied to us,” said a deputy who originally […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Sheriff borrows another $5 million for jail
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman held a six-minute meeting of a little-scrutinized agency he controls this afternoon to issue $5 million of taxpayer-financed bonds to help build his new jail. Gusman still has the ability to issue as much as $30 million more in bonds, permission voters […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Caddo leaders to take down Confederate flag
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 […]
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 […]
