0. New Orleans Police Department Technology Updates
January 23, 2017

1. Overview False Alarm Ordinance Implementation Online Reporting Update
License Plate Reader Rollout

2. False Alarm Implementation
In 2015, the City Council adopted ordinance M.C.S , the “False Alarm Ordinance.” The ordinance made the following key reforms:
Required alarm monitoring companies to make a minimum two-call verification before reporting any alarms to the police;
Authorized fines for owners of alarm systems for repeated false alarms; and
Allowed NOPD to stop responding to residences or businesses that have four or more false alarms in a calendar year.

3. False Alarm Implementation
In 2016, NOPD notified the top 100 most frequent locations for false alarms that they were subject to fines for continued false alarms and may face cut off of service for repeated false alarms.
NOPD also selected a vendor to help administer the fine system and appeals process.

4. False Alarm Implementation
Since the implementation of the false alarm ordinance, false alarm calls have steadily decreased over a 17 month period. Overall, up to 11,000 false alarms have been avoided over this period.

5. False Alarm Implementation
NOPD has contracted with a national leading vendor in false alarm management, CryWolf. CryWolf has successfully implemented false alarm management systems in Los Angeles, Austin, Charlotte, and dozens of other cities throughout the country.
They are currently working to:
Establish an electronic interface with our CAD system;
Establish financial mechanisms for payment; and
Finalize an appeals process.
We expect to launch a public education program after Mardi Gras and begin assessing fines in late March/early April.

6. Online Reporting Update
NOPD is working with a vendor to implement an electronic reporting system that would allow citizens to report basic property crimes via online rather than calling 911.
The crimes that will initially be reportable online include:
Lost Property
Theft
Auto Theft
Bicycle Theft
Pickpocketing
Shoplifting

7. Online Reporting Update
Unfortunately, we have been delayed in reaching a legal agreement with Lexis Nexus, the online reporting vendor.
While we wait for the system to become operational, we are staffing up the Alternative Police Response Unit that will run the online reporting system.
We currently have 18 staff assigned to this unit (civilians and ADD officers) and they are able to handle 6% of all police reports over the phone. Up to 15% could be handled by online/phone reporting.

8. LPR Rollout
Our License Plate Reader network is being constructed to meet both short-term and long-term goals. In the short-term it allows NOPD to immediately cover most of the busiest thoroughfares in the city, while it also allows for easy expansion and targeting as the city invests in more LPRs.
We have enacted policy to govern the use of our LPR system and this policy is available online at:
The policy assigns the Commander of the Special Investigations Section to administer the LPR program and closely restricts access to the data to authorized users. It also requires that all data not specifically required for an investigation be purged after 180 days.

9. LPR Rollout
Two phases of our License Plate Reader implementation have been contracted, for a total of $700,000.
Phase One:
A purchase order was issued in September
This order is for 25 cameras at 15 locations.
Delivery of equipment is scheduled for February
Phase Two:
A purchase order was issued in December
This order is for 21 cameras at 17 locations.
Delivery of equipment is anticipated in March/April.
Phase Three is currently being finalized and will include fixed and mobile license plate reader installations in 20 target areas throughout the city.