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Law enforcement agencies unite to maximize intelligence and manpower resources

NEW ORLEANS – Today, in a demonstration of unity, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans joined federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to announce their joint efforts to address the violent crime spike occurring in the City of New Orleans.  The collaborative effort features a team comprised of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), City of New Orleans Office of Criminal Justice Coordination, Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana State Police (LSP), and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).

The components of the collaborative deterrence plan include:

• Investigative resources focused on the most violent offenders/gangs and the use of federal prosecution for long-term criminal deterrence.
• Daily investigative coordination and interagency de-confliction reviews to include the following:
  • Interagency sharing of analytical and investigative resources targeting violent crime;
  • USMS violent offender warrant list for violent criminals; and
  • ATF NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) and eTrace leads.
• Proactive community engagement to guide law enforcement in the apprehension of violent criminals, identification of cooperators, and the development of leads for short-term and long-term racketeering, and VCAIT (Violent Crime Abatement Investigation Team) investigations.

U.S. Attorney Evans stated, “As a law enforcement collective, we recognize the imminency of the violent crime surge sweeping across our community.  We want the public to know that federal, state, and local law enforcement stands ready to collaborate, combine resources and continue to target those who prey on our citizens. Victims of crime also should know that law enforcement is committed to preventing, investigating, and solving the crimes that have plagued our community. Just as importantly, the perpetrators of these offenses are on notice that they will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.”

“The safety and well-being of our citizens is paramount.   ATF is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to target gun violence in our communities and has pledged manpower and resources as part of this effort,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn. “This initiative demonstrates our collective commitment to combatting violent crime in our communities.” Contact ATF TipLine at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477).

“DEA is proud to be a partner in this joint effort to curb the rising violent crime in our city and beyond.  The combined strength that federal, state and local law enforcement agencies bring to bear in the battle against these violent offenders will strike a significant blow to their criminal and drug trafficking organizations.  By working together, we will leverage our respective resources and expertise to achieve results that we could not accomplish on our own. Our combined, concentrated efforts will make our communities a safer place to live by disrupting the flow of guns and dangerous drugs to our neighborhoods,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley.

“Violence undermines one of the most basic freedoms of all Americans – the right to feel safe and secure in our own homes and in our communities. Today, let this message be clear to gang members and violent criminals: we will deploy our collective strength to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods and communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams, Jr.  Please call (504) 816-3000 or submit an anonymous tip at fbi.gov/tips

“Our number one priority is to keep the American public safe. With HSI’s unique transnational authorities, our special agents stand ready to collaborate with and support our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to target the violent criminal activity plaguing our community,” said HSI New Orleans Deputy Special Agent in Charge Jeb Bison. “By coming together in a common mission with our law enforcement partners, we will be able to pool our resources and more efficiently and effectively make our neighborhoods safer.”

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is committed to this initiative with our local, state, and federal partners and feel that partnerships are the key to reducing the uptick of violent crime across the New Orleans metro area.  Our USMS New Orleans Task Force has a history of being actively engaged in working with our partners to locate violent felony offenders, sex offenders, and the recovery of missing endangered children.

“The impact of violent crime in our communities is far reaching and affects every aspect of our daily lives,” stated Colonel Lamar Davis, Louisiana State Police Superintendent.  “Louisiana State Police is committed to maintaining successful and productive relationships with our public safety partners to combine resources and combat violent crime in the Greater New Orleans area and across the state.”

“From the very beginning of my administration, we have understood the importance of collaborating with our local, state and national partners in the fight against crime in this city. I am grateful to stand with US Attorney Duane Evans, NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson and all of our law enforcement partners in this fight to announce the Violent Crime Deterrent Plan. This unified, strategic plan across agencies will allow us all to combine and coordinate efforts to fight the rise of crime in New Orleans. There is a crime surge happening in this country, but here in New Orleans, we are surging back together,” stated Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams.

“We thank each of our partners for the work that they do day-in and day-out to keep our city safe,” said Criminal Justice Commissioner Tenisha Stevens. “The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Coordination and this administration is dedicated to collaborating with all of our justice system partners, at the local, state, and federal level, to work together to ensure accountability at all points of the system and do the work that we have been called to do.”

“The citizens of this city should know that the plan we’re carrying out is a force-multiplier for NOPD will make New Orleans a safer place to live and visit,” NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said. “And to individuals who continue to commit violent acts and steal from your neighbors, you need to know we’re coming for you, and we’ll see you soon.”

If you suspect or are aware of any criminal activity, please contact your local federal investigative agency or NOPD.