The New Orleans Police Department announced on Mar. 31 that it has seen a 50% reduction in fatal traffic crashes so far this year, as well as the successful use of drone technology to apprehend a murder suspect.
The department said it recorded seven fatal crashes resulting in seven deaths in 2026, compared to fourteen during the same period last year. Officials attribute this decline to targeted enforcement and strategic use of technology.
During the week of March 15–21, NOPD’s Motorcycle Platoon conducted directive enforcement operations across several districts. Officers focused on high-traffic corridors and areas with a history of crashes, conducting 153 vehicle stops and issuing 868 citations while supporting major events such as Uptown Super Sunday and St. Joseph’s Night. The department noted these efforts are data-driven and often supported by grant funding to maximize impact.
On March 19, members of the NOPD Violent Offender Warrant Squad worked with the U.S. Marshals Task Force to arrest Kent Goings, who was wanted for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder related to an incident from September last year. Officers used an on-site NOPD drone during St. Joseph’s Night festivities to locate Goings within a crowd and coordinate his safe apprehension without incident.
“This is what being brilliant in the basics looks like—focused enforcement, disciplined deployment, and using every available tool to keep people safe,” said Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick. “We are being intentional in how we deploy our resources and respond to crime.”
Mayor Helena Moreno added, “These are needed efforts to increase traffic enforcement. For too long we’ve heard complaints from the public that some drivers completely disregard traffic laws, including running red lights. Now, this increased enforcement will work to curb that behavior, but most importantly create a safer environment for all of us on the road.”
NOPD stated it remains committed to reducing both traffic fatalities and violent crime through continued enforcement strategies, innovation, and community partnership.
