Focus of budget is on public safety because of city's homicide rate, inspector general says
New Orleans City Council hearings on the mayor's proposed budget for next year continued at City Hall Thursday.
The inspector general's budget was among those reviewed. It's just under $3.7 million, which is less than this year's spending plan.
"You can see that the emphasis is on public safety, and that's because of the homicide rate," Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux said.
"So we're gonna focus on NOPD and other components of the criminal justice system over the next few years in order to provide the superintendent and city leadership with information for decision making."
Council President Stacy Head expressed concerns with the size of the independent police monitor's proposed budget, which has also been reduced.
"I have for years felt like it was too low because I want you to do more," Head said.
