Over the last few months, I have become increasingly troubled with what seems like a big uptick in crime that New Orleans has been seeing. Stolen cars are up 20% from a year ago (pre-pandemic). There has been a rash of catalytic converters being sawed off people's cars. Like, right in front of their house or in the driveway because it can be done in minutes.
But even worse, car jackings are rampant. Broad daylight. Hitting the same gas station more than once within the same hour. One carjacking happened at a red light (also daylight), at an intersection less then one mile from my house. I drive through that intersection multiple times a day.
For reference, I'm not a "pearl clutching, afraid of shadows" kind of person. New Orleans has historically ranked low on the safety scale compared to other cities. But, other than avoiding some areas at night and staying extra alert when I'm out and about, I've never felt unsafe here. Now I do.
I also have a white-hot anger at the city administrations that feels like it eats away at my soul sometimes.
I don't even want to live here anymore. To an extent, that's been true for awhile. But the increase in violent crimes has just exacerbated that feeling. I'd like to think this is temporary and crime will get back to its normal "not so great", but tolerable for me levels. But another part of me just wants to pick up my marbles and go. But the gazillion factors and unbelievably enormous undertaking that would be, feels almost impossible at this time.
And now to the question in my title. Would it even matter to go somewhere else? No doubt there are places safer to live then in NOLA. But is that only relatively speaking? Has crime increased everywhere? Is it rampant in most/all medium or large cities?
As always, thanks for listening to my troubles. I'd appreciate whatever thoughts you all have.
