NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The Metropolitan Crime Commission welcomes the Louisiana State Police’s decision to expand its operations at the historic Cabildo building in New Orleans.
The state police traditionally maintain a small office on the ground floor of the Cabildo, but under the new initiative, they will expand into the upper floors of the building, turning the site where the Louisiana Purchase was signed into a technology hub. This center will receive video feeds from surveillance cameras across the city, improving law enforcement’s ability to respond quickly to criminal activity.
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser highlighted the impact of this expansion, noting that police can make immediate arrests when cameras detect people involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking or illegal gun possession. Facial recognition technology also plays a critical role in identifying wanted criminals, leading to their quick apprehension.
In addition to the Cabildo expansion, the NOLA force is increasing its presence in the Central Business District (CBD) with a new headquarters. This expansion will allow the facility to accommodate dozens of additional police officers, according to Nungesser.
“We’re going to ask the museum foundation to move in and take over my offices. We’re going to give them the second and third floors so they can ramp up their operations. I can tell you, they’re doing an incredible job,” Nungesser said.
Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission praised the increased cooperation between the state police and the Attorney General’s Office.
“I think it’s working without a doubt. I’ve seen some arrests and the perpetrators brought before the district court. There are bail hearings like I haven’t seen in the city since I was a prosecutor in the 1980s,” said Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
The exact number of police officers stationed in the French Quarter is not disclosed for security reasons, but sources say there are about a dozen officers there on a regular basis. During major events such as Mardi Gras or the Super Bowl, that number may increase to as many as 200.
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