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Release Date: April 15, 2008
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: Brendan Lacivita (202) 572-8878
Washington, D.C. - The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (OFC) and the New Orleans Crime Coalition today co-hosted a briefing on local efforts to reduce violent crime and public corruption in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. The briefing provided an opportunity for the Crime Coalition and other New Orleans citizen activist organizations to detail actions taken to drive fundamental reforms in the city's criminal justice system.
"While federal investments have helped lay the foundation for recovery, President Bush always has believed that local leaders are best positioned to drive the rebuilding and renewal of their own communities," said OFC Interim Federal Coordinator Paul Conway. "These grassroots citizen-leaders are in the arena and working aggressively to fight crime and wipe out public corruption in the city they call home, and we will continue to ensure their voice is actively represented in the policy process."
Over the past two years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has provided more than $86 million to the state of Louisiana, including $43 million specifically for New Orleans, to restore criminal justice infrastructure, better equip local law enforcement agencies, and support local leaders in their fight against crime. These funds have helped outfit local police and sheriffs with vital equipment like police cars, computers, and a new crime lab, and they have helped re-establish local court operations as well as supported programs that prevent youth violence. In addition, DOJ has injected a number of new federal assets to fill gaps caused by the hurricanes and help local leaders fight crime in New Orleans, including additional FBI, DEA, and ATF agents working the streets alongside the city police and additional federal prosecutors leading a more aggressive strategy to try more cases under federal jurisdiction. Also, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has committed more than $200 million to repair and restore law enforcement equipment, infrastructure, and facilities across Louisiana.
"We are grateful for the outstanding support from the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding and their unwavering commitment to guiding our recovery," stated Greg Rusovich, New Orleans Crime Coalition chairman. "The New Orleans Crime Coalition is dedicated to rebuilding and improving our criminal justice system through transparency, accountability and integrity."
Representatives of the Crime Coalition who participated in today's briefing include:
The New Orleans Crime Coalition, a citizen-led movement which formed in February 2007 to stem violent crime in New Orleans, works with criminal justice entities by offering recommendations of best practices and holds entities accountable for implementing focused, strategic plans that will result in an improved justice system and the conviction and incarceration of violent criminals.
For the last three years the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has led the federal effort to support local leaders in the rebuilding and renewal of the Gulf Coast. OFC continues to be engaged in overseeing the development and implementation of policy strategies, streamlining recovery work, and facilitating efforts with state and local partners.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on April 15, 2008.