New Orleans Crime Rate?

U.S.A. Louisiana

Published

I am a Filipino nurse who is slated to work in one of the hospitals there in New Orleans. In the Philippine discussion group, Suzanne4 paints a very dim picture on what it is like working there and i quote her here:

>>And please take the time to do some reading before signing any contracts.

New Orleans right now has the highest crime rate in the US currently. That is the reason that the hospitals are going over to interview in the Philippines right now, they are unable to get enough Americans to go there to work.

Safety should be your primary concern, especially if you are bringing a family over with you. You are going to be coming over to another country to work, and you will be an outsider in the beginning. Sorry, but gunfire at night is not my idea of fun.

I am planning in bringing my wife and 2 small daughters and i'm a bit edgy about going to a place where their crime rate is high.

Is this really the real picture out in New Orleans?

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Most of the murders are drug related and are usually drug dealers killing other drug dealers. There are areas of the city that are safer and have a lower crime rate you just have to check around with a real estate agent and they can let you know what areas are safest. I have lived here all of my life and feel safe. I just avoid the unsafe neighborhoods. I have no reason to go in those areas anyhow.

Every city has a nursing shortage. I don't think our shortage is because of the crime stats. I think it's because many of the local nurses lost their homes and have not been able to come back for different reasons. The city is still in the rebuidling process but is coming back. I think New Orleans is a great city!! Hope this helps!!

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i would like to agree with imb0000's assessment with the city i have also lived here all of my life and would not live anywhere else. its up to you do what you think is best for you and your family.

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Specializes in Home health, Med/Surg.

My brother lives in New Orleans and works in the CBD. He has been sick more times this year than any other year of his life. The stress level is high for him and his wife as well, things just aren't as easy there as they used to be. I would like to see him move home to California with his wife but he loves it there. If your children have respiratory problems, stay away from New Orleans. My brother says there are still condemned houses that have not been touched since the flooding. I can't imagine the pollutants both in the air and on the ground. Check out NOLA.com for more info on the city.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

I don't live anywhere near New Orleans, so all I hear is what's on the US media. There have been LOTS of stories of out-of-control crime in New Orleans lately:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070106/ap_on_re_us/new_orleans_killings

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/01/with-violent-death-rate-topping-iraqs.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-11-30-orleans-crime-cover_x.htm

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Info on crime rate here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans

Just as New Orleans is having a high crime rate, Philadelphia is making headlines for the same issue. Most of the crime is drug and some gang related & heavier in certain parts of city. I've been a visiting nurse here for 20+ years, knowing to be careful of some areas. My son works and attends school in Center City and thinks nothing of recent crime increase. Same can be said of any large US metro area.

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not very encouraging, huh? i guess it all boils down on how you make adjustments with your environment and avoid those places that you think you might be at risk. hell, no place on this earth is forever safe--from the most peaceful cities, there will still be a handful of unexpected crime that could occur.

damn, i thought new orleans was about jazz, not crime! :chair:

in the meantime, i better spin some terence blanchard cds to keep my mind off it.

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Most of the murders are drug related and are usually drug dealers killing other drug dealers. There are areas of the city that are safer and have a lower crime rate you just have to check around with a real estate agent and they can let you know what areas are safest. I have lived here all of my life and feel safe. I just avoid the unsafe neighborhoods. I have no reason to go in those areas anyhow.

As someone who grew up in New Orleans, I disagree. The last time I visted there, once safe neighborhoods were no longer safe ... at least to me. As I was getting gas I heard gun fire in what was supposedly a "safe" neighborhood. I couldn't believe it.

And this was before Katrina. I can't imagine what it's like now but ... when people are having to organize protests at City Hall because the crime is so bad and they need protection, seems to me that this is more than your average city crime problem.

:typing

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As a tourist to any town, you are subject to more crime many times, just for being out of place in an area and looking like it, but when you go into an area that is much higher in crime, then it makes it much harder. And when you move to an area, and do not have a choice as to where you will be, it is also harder.

Suggest that you look at a map and find the area exactly that you will be working in and what the crime is like in that area. All big cities have more crime in their downtown areas, this one has much more.

The most important fact to consider: When you grow up in an area, you are well aware of the areas to stay away from as mentioned by the posters above. But going there as a newbie, you will not know them and can end up in some areas that are not very safe at all, even during the day.

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You may want to consider living in a city outside of New Orleans. There are a number of cities such as Mandeville, Covington, Metairie, and also the West Bank that are nice areas to live and in pretty close commuting distance from the city itself.

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You may want to consider living in a city outside of New Orleans. There are a number of cities such as Mandeville, Covington, Metairie, and also the West Bank that are nice areas to live and in pretty close commuting distance from the city itself.

Thanks ImbOOO and to every one. i'll try to consider the places that you mentioned.

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Specializes in Peds ER.

I really wish people who don't live here and have never been here would keep their opinions to themselves. The crime here is, for the vast majority, drug related and isolated to the same areas of the city as pre-Katrina. I realize that we have had a few extremely tragic incidences involving innocent people and I do not for a second want to minimize the seriousness of those incidences, but they are extremely rare. I have lived here my entire life and I do feel safe. I agree with the poster that said locals know which areas to stay away from and I think anyone who plans to live here should definitely educate themselves before coming. If you are able to, visit here, get a really good real estate agent, and get to know the city. There are some great suburbs that are very close to downtown that you could look into. It really is a wonderful place to live.

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