Solving Our Crime Epidemic

Jamie Mayo, former mayor of Monroe, LA, has unveiled his 2024 public safety plan for Monroe, LA. His comprehensive initiative aims to create a city where every resident can thrive and feel secure in their homes and neighborhoods. Despite a consistent decrease in the crime rate during Mayo's previous administration, the current crime rate in Monroe is now 500% above the national average, which is considered unacceptable. His previous administration brought a world-class Public Safety Center to the city of Monroe. Mayo has committed to implementing the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), a state-of-the-art operations center that will support all of our local law enforcement agencies. The RTCC will serve as a critical information hub where advanced IT software will be used to map and integrate various law enforcement tools, providing real-time information sharing, quick identification and apprehension of criminals, and overall increased public safety. Mayo believes the RTCC will be able to provide local public safety partners with critical information during any emergent event, including natural disasters and mass casualty events, to increase accuracy, improve incident response to protect citizens, and save lives. He would also leverage technology such as crime cameras, ShotSpotter gunshot detection, and digital neighborhood and business watch programs to enhance the city's ability to prevent and solve crime. Gun violence in Monroe and cities across the United States is a devastating epidemic. An even more devastating reality is that 80% of gunfire incidents are not reported to law enforcement. He believes using ShotSpotter to its full potential is more important than ever. This cutting-edge technology, which was implemented during his previous administration, is equivalent to a digitized 9-1-1 call for gunshots that is faster and more precise than our 50-year-old emergency call system, which consists of a citizen calling to report gunshots without any information on where it originated. Mayo's Public Safety Plan is built on a foundation of seven goals and objectives that address key areas of importance in solving our crime epidemic: 1) Implement the Real-Time Crime Center with integrated technology and tools by the end of 2025 to enhance public safety and crime prevention. 2) Re-implement the Operation Ceasefire Initiative by the end of 2024 to address violent gun crime in specific neighborhoods. 3) Reduce homicides in Operation Ceasefire areas by 25% by December 2025. 4) Reduce the number of shooting victims in Operation Ceasefire areas by 25% by December 2025. 5) Decrease overall residential, commercial, and vehicle burglaries by 25% in digital commercial and neighborhood watch areas. 6) Increase Shotspotter coverage to 60% of heavily impacted gun-crime areas in Monroe by the end of 2025. 7) Maintain the Monroe Fire Department's Class 1 Fire Rating achieved under Mayo's first administration. The official presentation of this plan was held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Parkview Dr. Church of Christ in Monroe, LA.