An initiative to increase the number of private security cameras in New Orleans neighborhoods led to the installation of nearly 200 high-definition security cameras across the city in its first year. The NOPD and the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation (NOPJF) first launched the program, known as Adopt-A-Block, in 2015 with a goal of purchasing and installing security cameras in crime hotspots. Since then, residents, schools and churches have all been recipients of the public safety program.
“Surveillance cameras are invaluable tools that help us solve crimes more quickly,” said NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. “Through the Adopt-A-Block program, we are successfully teaming up with neighborhoods that need our support and providing them with the resources they need to help us keep them safe. Together, we will continue to work hard every day to make every neighborhood a safe neighborhood.”
“This program highlights how effective public-private community partnerships work. Cameras installed under this initiative not only improve the safety of host residents and their neighbors, but also empowers them to join NOPD in the fight for a safer city,” said NOPJF CEO Melanie Talia.
Expanding police database of working surveillance cameras across the city
All cameras installed through the Adopt-A-Block program are registered with the NOPD SafeCam NOLA database, which provides officers with information on where working surveillance cameras are located and how to contact the property owner. Registering your information does not provide NOPD with direct access to your camera. NOPD will only contact you if they believe your camera could contain evidence relevant to a criminal investigation. To date, over 3,900 cameras at 1,100 properties across the city participate in the NOPD’s free and voluntary SafeCam NOLA program.
Residents, businesses and non-profits leading fundraising effort
Adopt-A-Block is funded through private donations to NOPJF. In the first year of the program, NOPJF raised $85,000 from donors including, the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors (NOMAR), Latter & Blum, the Stanley Ray Philanthropic and Civic Trust, Millennial Spirits of NOLA, Hermes Beyond the Parade (BTP) and the Downtown Development District.