NEW ORLEANS - 10-12-2021

Following is a statement from Sheriff Marlin Gusman regarding COVID-19 testing of inmates and staff at the Orleans Justice Center (OJC):

"I am pleased to report that the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office recently tested 729 inmates for COVID-19 and all tested negative. Since the Sheriff Office began conducting mass testing of inmates, this is the first time all who were tested showed negative test results.

"In addition, there are no positive COVID-19 test results among 780 employees, contractors and volunteers who participated in the most recent mass testing of staff.

"Since the pandemic began, the Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of medical providers, has administered 15,281 COVID-19 tests to inmates over 17 mass testings. Another 14,194 tests were given to OPSO staff over 17 mass testings for a combined total of 29,475 COVID-19 tests administered at OJC.

"To date, 839 inmates have received a COVID-19 vaccine while in our custody. While the vaccine is not mandatory for inmates, the Sheriff's Office offers incentives to encourage inmates to take the vaccine such as a phone card valued at $15 or commissary, also valued at $15.

"Several months ago, the Sheriff's Office was among the first governmental or business entities to require of its workforce regular mass testing and vaccination against COVID-19. Today, 100 percent of employees, contactors and volunteers are fully vaccinated.

NEW ORLEANS - 09-24-2021

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office today delivered a total of 19 pallets of water and other food items to Hurricane Ida victims in Golden Meadow.

The shipment of water, chips and energy bars was donated by Whole Foods Market to Catnip Foundation-Big Sky Ranch, which called on the Sheriff's Office to assist with delivery. Whole Foods had pledged 12 pallets, but as the shipment was being loaded, added another seven pallets, bringing the total to 19 pallets.

The donation filled the backs of three OPSO flat-bed trucks which were escorted by OPSO marked units to the Lafourche Parish line where the escort was taken over by units from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office. The escort ended at the First Baptist Church in Golden Meadow.

Sheriff Marlin Gusman said, "Our neighbors in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes helped New Orleanians during Katrina, and we all need to do more to support them as they deal with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ida."

NEW ORLEANS - 09-08-2021

Following is a statement from Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman regarding looting, other arrests and patrolling efforts for Orleans Parish following Hurricane Ida:
 
“Since 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, the day before Hurricane Ida made landfall, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) have collectively made 63 arrests for looting and 174 arrests total.
 
Public safety is crucial to the recovery of our community and the crime of looting is unconscionable when we are at this critical moment.
 
We do, however, want to assure the community that these looting arrests are not widespread and that our team and our partners are working diligently to prevent and address these crimes.
 
We are continuing to patrol the streets of New Orleans along with NOPD and the National Guard and are doing everything we can to help those in-need including water and supply distribution, including providing canopies and security, and participating in key partnerships to support our community.
 
We want to encourage community members to report any suspicious activity. If you witness a crime, please call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 3-1-1 (504-658-2299) for non-emergencies.”
 
ADDITIONAL POST HURRICANE IDA SAFETY UPDATES:
“We are continuously working with New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the National Guard to dispatch deputies into the community to patrol all of Orleans Parish as a part of a unified effort for public safety.
 
We have had deputies and staff on duty at all times patrolling the streets, staffing our facilities and monitoring the courts. In addition to patrols, we are also fulfilling calls for service such as security detail, traffic control and other needs.
 
We are working in shifts to ensure that our staff is equipped with the resources to navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Ida both personally and professionally.
 
My staff and I are in constant communication with the City, the Courts, the District Attorney and other authorities on our continued strategies for public safety.
 
As previously communicated, all evacuated inmates have been safely returned to our facilities. For the full update on their return, click here.
 
Our top priorities are keeping our inmates and the community safe by monitoring and addressing crime and helping our city to recover.”