Law Commons^™

Security Districts In New Orleans, Kara Chin, Emily Siegel

Capstones

We did an investigative study of security districts in New Orleans. For nearly 20 years, neighborhoods in the city’s wealthier sections have voted to impose higher taxes only on themselves for additional security that benefits their own neighborhoods. These added patrols supplement the city’s often-criticized police. Last year, security districts raised nearly $6 million in additional revenue that isn’t shared with the rest of the city. No other major city has implemented a publicly funded law enforcement system that allows voters to funnel tax dollars for additional security that is not shared with the city at large.