The second in a series of implementation strategies to improve the quality of life in Jefferson Parish was released today at a meeting of government, business and community leaders.
Crime abatement is the focus of the second strategy. The first strategy, which focused on flood and hurricane protection, was released in December.
In early June, JEDCO and the Steering Committee of the Jefferson EDGE 2010, Jefferson Parish’s economic development strategic plan, conducted an in-depth strategic review of economic and demographic trends that have been occurring in the parish long before the hurricanes of 2005. These trends are being driven by quality of life issues which in turn affect the economic development climate in Jefferson. In addition to economic development, seven (7) issues will now become the focus of Jefferson Parish’s economic development plan through the year 2020. Strategies to address flood protection, crime, insurance, education, beautification, hospitals, and the redevelopment of Fat City are being prepared with an action agenda that the community as a whole can support.
A strike force of criminal justice representatives, Sheriff Newell Normand, Parish attorneys and code enforcement officials, headed by Tim Coulon, Executive Director of the Jefferson Business Council, working with JEDCO and GCR & Associates, developed the comprehensive implementation strategy, a specific set of new action items, aimed at further reducing crime in Jefferson Parish. While the number of homicides in unincorporated Jefferson decreased in 2007 from 2006 by 36%, crime has remained a concern among residents. Strategic investments in criminal justice initiatives coupled with new, innovative programs that can effectuate relatively immediate reductions in the crime rate, comprise this second quality of life issue strategy. Furthermore, the strategy highlights the aggressive code enforcement plans and assault on blight already underway in the parish with an expedited processing and resolution of code violation cases. Current initiatives as well as an action plan to further reduce crime throughout the parish are detailed.
Jefferson EDGE 2020 Strategic Implementation Plan: Crime Abatement
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