Yesterday, at a city council hearing it was learned that the company hired to install crime cameras in New Orleans lacked a contractor’s license that is required for the job.
The company is LSI Research of Huntsville, Alabama. What is interesting is that the size of the contract was initially very small, but later was expanded to more than $1 million. At first, LSI was contracted to install 8 cameras, even though the city knew it needed 200 at least. In addition, the company lied about having a Louisiana contractor’s license and gave a “fraudulent” license number on the contract.
Why is the city of New Orleans contracting with a company in Huntsville? Aren’t there local companies who could have done this work? Of course local companies were just as qualified, but they might have lacked something obviously very important, a tie to the Nagin administration. Inquiring minds want to know, what is the tie between the Nagin administration and LSI?
After these questions were raised, Inspector General Robert Cerasoli committed to add this contract to his ever expanding list of issues to investigate. How did this company secure the contract in the first place?
It is clear that the company does not have a track record installing crime cameras. In fact, from a quick observation of their web site, anyone can learn that the company was established to “remanufacture” and service laser printer toner cartridges and fax machines.
Why was a company that was designed to work on fax machines and laser printers hired to install crime cameras in New Orleans? If the Nagin administration was determined to hire a printer and fax company to install crime cameras, there are many of them they could have found in our local Yellow Pages.
Yesterday, our WGSO News Director Terry Easley attempted to contact LSI to gather more information about the company. Only one person was available at their main headquarters and it was an intern, who had no knowledge of the company, its mission, or its management team. This is response from the company that New Orleans citizens are depending upon to help keep the streets of the city safe.
In the hearing yesterday, we learned from New Orleans Chief Technology Director Anthony Jones that there are supposedly 151 crime cameras operating in the city. Mayor Ray Nagin has promised that all 200 cameras will be operating by the end of July. Despite these assurances, several council members were told that there are nowhere near 151 crime cameras working right now. This is another issue that needs to be investigated. We can’t trust the word of the Nagin administration because their track record proves they are not reliable to say the least.
Council members have their hands full trying to deal with an incompetent and stonewalling administration; however, they need to do whatever possible to keep the heat on the administration on this issue. It is an essential component in the battle against crime, which remains the biggest problem facing the City of New Orleans.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Jim -- The cameras referred to in this article are NOT the traffic cameras being installed all over Metro New Orleans. These are the so-called crime cameras placed at strategic areas to capture pictures of drug dealings and shootings. Does that change your opinion? In either case, the city paid for them and they should be delivered by a competent vendor. Written by Bullwinkle
on 6/27/2008
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I think cameras, of any kind, are an intrusion into our lives. Put cops out there and let them catch and ticket speeders. I have gone through yellow lights because someone was driving too close behind me. The 'Big Brother' cameras will cause a lot of accidents. All know the intent of installing the traffic cameras is to enhance revenues. I for one want them removed! Written by Jim
on 6/26/2008
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It's beginning to sound as if our mayor is following in the steps of his predecesser. Perhaps if he spent less time wining and dining his wife at our expense and flitting out of town at every opportunity, he could devote some time the city and it's citizens. Written by noladude
on 6/26/2008
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Yesterday, at a city council hearing it was learned that the company hired to install crime cameras in 
