NOPD Plans Safety Enforcement on Planned Illegal Street Takeovers
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department says it will join local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in a coordinated enforcement effort this weekend in response to planned illegal street takeover activity in the city.
NOPD said the operation will include assistance from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana National Guard, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police.
Police are warning drivers against blocking intersections, performing burnouts or donuts, street racing or using vehicles to take over public roadways.
City ordinances prohibit vehicular stunt activity, burnouts, donuts, street racing and blocking roadways. NOPD said the law also addresses organizing illegal street takeover events through social media or helping facilitate the activity.
Police warned that enforcement will not necessarily be limited to drivers. Participants, organizers and spectators could face enforcement action. Vehicles may be impounded, and those involved could face criminal charges or arrest.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick encouraged visitors to enjoy New Orleans while warning those planning to participate in illegal street activity to stay away.
“If you plan to endanger our residents, damage our streets, disrupt our businesses, or turn our intersections into a stunt area, save yourself the trip,” Kirkpatrick said. “NOPD and its partners will be ready, visible, coordinated and we will enforce the law.”
Laws Related to Illegal Street Takeovers
NOPD pointed to several city ordinances and Louisiana laws that may apply to illegal street takeover activity, including:
- Vehicular Stunt Activities — New Orleans City Code Sec. 54-503
- Spectators at Illegal Street Racing/Stunt Events — Sec. 54-504
- Reckless Operation of a Vehicle — Louisiana R.S. 14:99
- Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce — R.S. 14:96
- Simple Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce — R.S. 14:97
- Criminal Damage to Property — R.S. 14:55 and R.S. 14:56
- Unlawful Posting of Criminal Activity for Notoriety and Publicity — R.S. 14:107.4
Anyone with information about planned illegal street takeover activity is asked to call 911 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111.
Source: New Orleans Police Department
Orleans Parish Voters Urged to Prepare for November 3 Election
NEW ORLEANS — Orleans Parish election officials are encouraging residents to check their voter registration information and begin preparing for the November 3, 2026 election.
Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Lisa Manning Bridges is asking eligible voters to make sure their registration is active and that their current residential address is on file before Election Day.
Voters should also review their ballot ahead of the election so they are familiar with the candidates, propositions, constitutional amendments and other issues that may appear.
Voter Registration Deadlines
The deadline to register in person, by mail or at an Office of Motor Vehicles location is October 5, 2026.
Louisiana voters eligible to use the state’s GeauxVote Online Registration System have until October 13, 2026 to register online.
Early Voting
Early voting for the November 3 election is scheduled for October 20 through October 27, excluding Sunday, October 25.
Early voting locations will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Absentee Voting
Eligible voters who are unable to vote in person may be able to request an absentee ballot. Eligibility includes certain military and overseas voters, students attending college away from home, nursing home residents and others who meet Louisiana’s absentee voting requirements.
For most voters, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 30 at 4:30 p.m. The deadline for the Registrar of Voters to receive most completed absentee ballots is November 2 at 4:30 p.m.
Election Day
The election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Orleans Parish voters can use the Louisiana Voter Portal to check their registration information, find their polling location and view election information.
For additional information, contact the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Office at 504-658-8300.
Source: City of New Orleans / Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters
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NOPD Reports Lowest May-August Murder Total in Eight Years
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans recorded 22 murders from May through August 2026, the lowest total for that four-month period in at least eight years, according to statistics released by the New Orleans Police Department.
The 22 murders represent a 46% decrease from the same period in 2025, when the city recorded 41 murders. The latest total is also substantially lower than 2022, when 100 murders were reported between May and August.
Murders from May through August
| Year | May | June | July | August | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 46 |
| 2020 | 12 | 18 | 25 | 16 | 71 |
| 2021 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 77 |
| 2022 | 24 | 33 | 19 | 24 | 100 |
| 2023 | 20 | 20 | 13 | 15 | 68 |
| 2024 | 6 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 41 |
| 2025 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 41 |
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 22 |
Statistics compiled by the NOPD Analytics Unit.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the decline reflects the department’s strategy of concentrating officers and resources in areas where violence is occurring while using intelligence, technology and partnerships to prevent additional crimes.
Kirkpatrick said the department recognizes that 22 murders are still too many, but believes the downward trend shows progress.
NOPD said its current strategy focuses on individuals and locations associated with violent crime. The department is also working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on coordinated enforcement efforts.
Recent initiatives, including Operation Golden Eagle, are part of the department’s broader effort to reduce violent crime across New Orleans.
NOPD said it plans to continue those efforts as it works to maintain the decline in murders and other violent crimes.
NOPD Arrests Suspect in Bourbon Street Homicide Investigation
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police have arrested a suspect following a fatal shooting early Sunday morning in the 400 block of Bourbon Street.
According to the New Orleans Police Department, officers were called to the area around 1:24 a.m. on August 31, 2026, after receiving a report of gunfire.
When officers arrived, they found an adult man suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to a local hospital, where he later died.
Police said officers detained a male who was allegedly attempting to leave the area following the shooting. Investigators later identified him as Aumir J. Handshaw.
Following questioning by detectives, Handshaw was arrested and booked on one count of second-degree murder.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is expected to identify the victim and determine a preliminary cause of death after an autopsy is completed and the victim’s family has been notified.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information that could assist NOPD homicide detectives is asked to call the NOPD Homicide Section at 504-658-5300.
