Reported crime trends in New Orleans show fluctuations, declines in gun arrests

(The Center Square) — Reported crime in New Orleans has fluctuated since the start of the year, with overall arrests rising and falling over the past three months.As of April 4, there were 680 arrests over the past 30 days, according to city data. The dashboard reports arrests as “rolling arrests,” meaning it continuously updates to reflect totals from the prior 30 days.At the beginning of the year, arrests declined from 668 on Jan. 1 to 528 by Jan. 26 before rising sharply, peaking at 786 at the end of March.The dashboard tracks arrests for crimes including armed robbery, arson, felony assault, felony (domestic) assault, misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor (domestic) assault, attempted murder, felony burglary, city ordinance violations, criminal traffic offenses, firearm offenses, murder and manslaughter, felony narcotics offenses, misdemeanor narcotics offenses, nonviolent felonies, violent felonies, nonviolent misdemeanors, violent misdemeanors, probation and parole violations, rape and sexual assault, simple robbery, felony theft, misdemeanor theft, and traffic offenses.Year-over-year crime trendsAs of April 3, there have been 28 homicides, down from 38 at this time last year.Other major crime trends compared to the same period in 2024:Carjackings are down 38% (26 to 16).Homicides by firearm are down 63% (33 to 12).Non-fatal shootings are down 28% (64 to 46).Rape and sexual assault reports are up 6% (196 to 208).Armed robbery is down 8% (49 to 45).Unarmed robbery is down 44% (58 to 32).Stabbings are up 11% (36 to 40).Theft is down 19% (1,517 to 1,222).Vehicle burglaries are down 32% (729 to 493).Firearm arrests and seizuresAs of April 1, the New Orleans Police Department had made 88 arrests for illegal firearm possession this year, a 55% drop from 194 during the same period in 2024, according to an NOPD news release. Gun seizures have also declined. As of March 24, officers had confiscated 398 firearms in criminal investigations, down 42% from 685 at this point last year.