NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams and New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno accuse the Cantrell Administration of failing to use funds that could have created a robust electronic ankle monitoring program.
This comes as the juvenile justice system faces scrutiny over lack of regulation.
Moreno said two years ago, the city council appropriated $4.45 million dollars in ARPA funds to go towards juvenile services and found out two weeks ago it’s still sitting there
“Incredibly frustrating…overall irresponsible on the city’s side,” Moreno said.
“We’ve never needed investments in young people more than coming out of the pandemic… to find out now that none of it was spent is deeply problematic,” Williams said.
Moreno told Fox 8 that in 2021 and 2022, the city’s crime commissioner told the council she would implement an electronic monitoring program for juvenile court, including mentioning a request for proposals.
She said she has copies of various articles, emails, letters, and committee meetings to prove it.
“Bottom line, we need to get to the bottom of what’s broken and fix it. Stop pointing fingers,” said Moreno. “Look if it didn’t work, the commissioner couldn’t get it done, then what is it going to take to actually get it done and get it done right.”
A spokesperson for Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office issued the following statement late Monday night:
“The District Attorney’s Office is mistaken in their recollection of the discussions surrounding this issue. A review of the correspondence exchanged during that time does not support the district attorney’s office statement. In fact, it demonstrates that the DA’s office proposed a plan to address electronic monitoring last spring. To support coordination around this issue, the Office of Criminal Justice facilitated an interagency meeting with the juvenile legal system and community stakeholders. Following this interagency meeting, the Office of Criminal Justice requested and did not receive any response or follow up from the juvenile legal system agencies, including the District Attorney’s Office, regarding the desire to move forward with alternative electronic monitoring programs. It is important to understand that the Office of Criminal Justice works as a positive facilitator to share financial resources and works to obtain additional funding to partner with the diverse agencies involved in electronic monitoring. Together we can find solutions regarding this issue, but there needs to be a strong shared response from judges, the District Attorney’s Office, OCJC, and our community stakeholders. The Office of Criminal Justice stands ready to continue proactive dialogue with law enforcement agencies and the community to work together to achieve the best outcomes for the electronic monitoring program and OCJC is committed to the objective of the safety and well-being for all our citizens.”
However, Fox 8 spoke to Mayor Cantrell in 2021 about the implementation of the program.
“We have had countless meetings in regard to electronic monitoring systems. We are testing many of them out. We’ve been working with even juvenile court,” said Mayor Cantrell in 2021. “[…] I do support, and we will get off the ground.”
Mayor Cantrell says testing for new electronic monitor plan underway
Fox 8 also spoke to the city’s Criminal Justice Commissioner Tenisha Stevens back in 2020.
The city plans to soon implement electronic monitoring for juveniles
Now, Moreno said the state legislative auditor has requested records related to the commissioner’s budget and past work, to conduct a full investigation.
On Wednesday (August 7) evening, the City of New Orleans, Office of Criminal Justice Coordination sent another statement:
“To be incredibly clear, OCJC did not ask for this funding and there was no conversation about whether or not we were prepared to receive it from a staffing or capacity perspective. As we always do, we accepted it and have been working diligently with the Office of Youth and Families towards creating a structure to not only utilize the funds but sustain the project far beyond our tenure. We began by bringing in subject matter experts from the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform to conduct an analysis of the current landscape concerning juvenile justice programs and alternatives to detention. At the same time, we began utilizing authentic community engagement and giving the power regarding the use of this funding to the trusted practitioners and community leaders who work with the impacted children, their families, and victims every single day. This process takes time. Shifting power out of the hands of government and into the hands of community, requires level setting, education, creating space for tough conversations, and opportunities for collaboration. We know that this process will give our system stakeholders and the community the absolute best return on this ARPA investment within the federally mandated timeline. The Office of Criminal Justice Coordination looks forward to the continued partnership and collaboration.”
Williams said he’s working with Moreno to come up with local ordinances and resolutions, along with some potential legislative items.
Related Coverage:
Orleans DA meets state officials to address flawed electronic monitoring system
Ankle monitoring company to face negligent homicide trial in Louisiana woman’s 2021 murder
A crisis that’s slipped through the cracks can no longer be ignored but comes at a cost.
In the case of French Quarter tour guide Kristie Thibodeaux, a flawed ankle monitoring system cost her, her life.
Thibodeaux’s former boss and friend, Brian Cain, has mixed emotions regarding what he calls a “reactive” response to a horrific tragedy
“I refuse to accept the excuse, ‘well, it’s just New Orleans. You just have to take it.’ It’s a joke.” said Cain. “We’re not getting the lives lost back, but maybe it will prevent things from happening in the future.”
Williams said he’s waiting on a response to a letter he sent in mid-July asking all juvenile court judges to recall young offenders with ankle monitors to court for assessment and to take into custody any who have violated the terms of their release, whether someone tampered with their device or went somewhere they weren’t supposed to.
“I absolutely think it’s doable and I absolutely think it’s necessary,” Williams said.
Recent action taken by local and state leaders comes after the public outcry over Thibodeaux’s murder.
Police said 15-year-old Kevin Nunez was wearing a deactivated, court-ordered ankle monitor when he allegedly shot Thibodeaux to death.
“They’re allowing them to go back out in the streets knowing that there’s no real repercussions,” said Cain. “Orleans Parish has proven over and over again that it’s incapable of getting things right.”
Cain said the current system is laughable, a slap in the face to law enforcement and its failures stem from the top down.
“We all miss Kristie but ultimately she would want us to fight for justice for her so that she didn’t pass in vain and there’s some sort of accountability moving forward,” Cain said.
He wants accountability for the actions and inactions of everyone from city officials to judges and attorneys to legal guardians and the kids committing the crimes.
Williams said this week’s juvenile justice summit involving the state supreme court, Louisiana leaders, the OJJ, attorney general and governor focused on creating several solutions like forming a set of state-wide standards for real-time ankle monitoring programs, finding funding for more jail space so violent offenders don’t have to be released on ankle monitors, taking immediate action against violators and prioritizing public transparency, and requiring reports be provided to the court in real-time and read aloud during hearings.
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