Sep 29, 2025 - Public Safety

As crime rate drops, NOPD tries new communications strategy

Chelsea Brasted

A police officer speaks at a New Orleans Police press conference with a woman in a purple dress standing nearby and a man sitting at a table with a laptop, a suspect's photo on a screen. — New Orleans Police Department Officer Reese Harper speaks to the media Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, with Crimestoppers' Darlene Costanza, left. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/Axios

A new New Orleans Police Department communications strategy is underway to highlight its most wanted suspects via regular press conferences.

Why it matters: It's a symptom of the city's dropping crime rate as police look for new ways to bring attention to cases they have yet to solve.

The big picture: "Violent crime is down 15% and overall crime has hit a 50 year low," said NOPD communications director Reese Harper in a Friday press conference. "Although that's progress, we're not stopping." Explore city crime data.

Between the lines: The new communications strategy gives the department regular face time with local media since fewer crimes mean fewer impromptu press conferences.

But it also comes as the possibility looms that President Trump will send in the National Guard to bolster local law enforcement.

What they're saying: Harper maintained City Hall's official line that NOPD would "welcome the help" if that happens.

Rather, the new communications strategy is "another tool in the toolbox," Harper said. "We want to make this the safest city in America."

Zoom in: The Friday press conference highlighted three suspects, including Michael Joseph Hall, who's wanted for an Aug. 24 shooting death; Miguel Salazar, who's wanted for a June 28 double homicide; and William Powell, for the 2022 shooting death of Ciara Bullock. Watch the press conference.

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As crime rate drops, NOPD tries new communications strategy

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