The safety of our residents and workforce is a top priority of the DDD. Downtown is one of the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans, thanks in part to the DDD’s robust Public Safety Team, enhanced police presence, private patrol detail and the efforts of our citizens. See information below to learn more about DDD safety programs, including SafeWalk, homeless outreach, CPR training, and code enforcement.
DDD Operations Hours:
DDD Public Safety Rangers: 6:00am – 10:00pm (Due to COVID-19, Reduced Hours are 7:00am – 9:00pm)
DDD NOPD Detail: 24 hours per day, seven days a week
DDD Private Patrol: 24 hours per day, seven days a week
The Public Safety Team may be reached at (504) 415-1730 or rangers@downtownnola.com.
Public Safety Rangers
The DDD created the Public Safety Ranger program as an integral element of Downtown’s public safety network. The Public Safety Rangers are a non-commissioned force of safety professionals who patrol Downtown on foot and on bicycle. They act as extra eyes and ears for the police and the DDD. Rangers are customer-friendly and provide visible coverage throughout Downtown.
Areas of focus:
- Deterring crime through visible patrols
- Reporting suspicious behavior to proper authorities
- Assisting visitors, residents and workers with maps, directions and information on where to go, what to see and how to get there
- Discouraging aggressive panhandling and other quality of life crimes
- Offering free SafeWalks to Downtown residents, workers and visitors
- Enforcing quality of life and building code ordinances
- Homeless Outreach
- Providing safety training to Downtown stakeholders
Don’t mistake the Rangers for uniformed police or paramedics; for immediate assistance and emergencies, call 911 or the New Orleans Police Department non-emergency line at (504) 821-2222.
For questions about the program, to make a report, to schedule and check availability for a training session or SafeWalk , please call (504) 415-1730.
Private Patrol Unit
The DDD provides a private patrol unit operated by Pinnacle Security and Investigations. All Pinnacle Security Officers that are assigned to patrol duties have a law enforcement background.
In addition to the DDD NOPD detail, Pinnacle provides armed, uniformed officers and a marked vehicle to patrol Downtown 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
The private patrols are available to respond to phone calls, perform regular business checks, report suspicious activity and address quality of life issues.
Enhanced Police Services
The DDD provides 24/7 NOPD Officer Details for Downtown NOLA. Approximately 30 officers provide 400 hours per week in enhanced police coverage.
Purpose:
Focus enhanced police resources on areas of need to address public safety and quality of life issues, real and perceived, quickly and effectively.
Provide flexibility in deployment of police resources according to changing needs Downtown, such as:
- where, when, and what type of crime is occurring;
- changing perceptions of public safety;
- special events sponsored by the DDD.
Assure accountability to DDD management and stakeholders for decreasing crime and the perception of crime Downtown.
SafeWalk & Take a Walk with a Ranger
SafeWalk
SafeWalk is a free service provided to safely escort residents, workers and visitors to their Downtown destination.
To schedule a SafeWalk, contact the DDD Public Safety Rangers during regular operating hours: 7 days a week, 6:00a.m. to 10:00p.m.
Please call at least 20 minutes prior to the requested SafeWalk.
Call or text (504) 415-1730 to check availability. If texting, include name, location and time of meet-up.
Tips on Walking Safely in Cities
- Strength comes in numbers. Two is always safer than one!
- If you walk alone, make sure you tell someone your route and the time you expect to return
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep your cell phone handy for use in an emergency
- If carrying a purse, place it securely between your arm and body. Do not use the shoulder strap, which can be easily grabbed
- Wear bright colored clothing when out after dark
- Stick to busy, well-lit streets
- When approached by a panhandler simply say “no, thank you” or “no, sorry.” Avoid negotiations or saying things like “I have no change” because they take bills as well!
- Avoid needless displays of money
Take a Walk with a Ranger
In an effort to continue to keep Downtown New Orleans one of the safest communities in city, The DDD has launched a new public safety initiative designed to build better relationships and improve communication between DDD Public Safety Rangers and business owners, property managers and residents.
The new “Take a Walk with a Ranger” provides Downtown stakeholders the opportunity to spend an hour or two, one on one with a DDD Public Safety Ranger walking through parts of Downtown discussing public safety tips and quality of life concerns.
“The safety of our residents and workforce is a top priority of the DDD, and our Public Safety Rangers are on the front lines patrolling our streets to deter crime and address quality of life issues,” said DDD Director of Operations Richard McCall. “We want to expand their reach by encouraging everyone to spend time with a Ranger and experience our public safety program first-hand.”
Call the Rangers today at 504-415-1730. Let’s take a walk!
CPR & Safety Presentations
DDD Public Safety Ranger program offers private First Aid+CPR+AED training to Downtown residents, workers and visitors at a reduced cost. The full day course is conducted by a DDD Public Safety Ranger who is an American Red Cross certified trainer. Each participant who successfully completes the course receives an American Red Cross certification card valid for 2 years.
In addition to CPR training, DDD Public Safety Rangers offer personal safety presentations for Downtown stakeholders. To schedule a First Aid+CPR+AED training or a safety presentation by the DDD Ranger team, contact Donald Clouse, DDD Lead Public Safety Ranger.
SafeCamNOLA
As part of its continued effort to provide enhanced public safety services in keeping Downtown safe, the DDD, along with Downtown property owners and managers, has partnered with the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation in the SafeCam Platinum program, providing 36 security cameras at key locations in Downtown New Orleans, which are linked to the City of New Orleans Real-Time Crime Center.
SafeCam Platinum is an exciting new program that allows residents and businesses to install public-facing security cameras and share the footage directly with the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). Managed by the NOPJF, it is a companion initiative to the existing SafeCam NOLA program, which is the official private security camera registry of the NOPD. It allows citizens to register their camera location with the police. The DDD has invested in the SafeCam program since 2016.
Please visit www.SafecamNOLA.com to enroll today.
Click here for additional information about the DDD’s involvement in SafeCamNOLA.
Donate
Please feel free to donate to any of the following organizations.
Ozanam Inn
www.ozanaminn.org
New Orleans Mission
www.neworleansmission.org
Unity of Greater New Orleans
www.networkforgood.org
Volunteers of America
www.voa.org
Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans
www.travelersaidneworleans.blogspot.com
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
www.neworleans.va.gov
Bridge House | Grace House
http://www.bridgehouse.org
