HOSTED BY: Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, Algiers Neighborhood Presidents Council ( ANPC), Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) & Delgado Community College, Westbank (DCCW)

DATE & LOCATION: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 6-8 pm; Building 1, Delgado Community College, Westbank Campus, 2600 General Meyer Blvd., Algiers, Room 130

PANEL PARTICIPANTS: NOPD Police Chief Ronal Serpas, N.O. Criminal Justice Commissioner James Carter, Deputy Police Monitor Simone Levine, NOPD 4^th District Commander Heather Kouts, Senator David Heitmeier, Rep. Jeff Arnold, SOH Rep. Jim Tucker

TOPIC: Due to the substantial increase in reported crimes in the Algiers and the Lower Coast areas in the past 6 months (52% in May, 2011 alone), there is great concern among area residents as to the reasons for the alarming increase in crime. The increase in crime correlates with the change in command of the NOPD 4^th District. Further, area residents are aware of a minimum of at least 3 serious incidents where police were called to the scene and none of these incidents were recorded in the 4^th District’s UCR monthly statistics, (2 of the 3 involving attempted home invasions).

Area civic and business groups and concerned citizens will demand answers at the Crime Forum as to why crime has increased so dramatically, and what the Mayor and/or his senior NOPD officials will do to improve crime prevention in the area. While the Westbank of Orleans Parish continues to enjoy the lowest crime rate in the City, unless positive changes are implemented immediately, the substantial increase in crime is likely to affect area property values, occupancy and business and economic development, including but not limited to, the new Federal City project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Val P. Exnicios, Esq,

(504) 410-9611 (offc) or 495-9666 (cell)

Program Co-Moderator & Chairman, ANPC; Chairman, DCCW Board of Advisors; Chairman, English Turn Golf & CC POA; Advisor, Ochsner Westbank Board of Advisors; Member, AEDF