Types of Crime — Crime Survivors Guide

Hands holding cell phone — Types of Crime

This section includes contacts and information specific to types of crime.

GENERAL NOTES

Please refer to immediate practical matters for additional urgent needs and concerns. This section gives a quick overview of specific types of crimes or incidents that you may have experienced. At the end of each section is a list of related resources under Agencies involved.

Contact info for agencies involved is in RESOURCES.

Homicide

Homicide Detectives go to all scenes of homicide, suicide and unexplained deaths. They will typically make one family member/friend their main contact person for the investigation.

Role of Coroner

Investigators from the Coroner’s Office go to the scene of all homicides.

The Coroner’s office will keep in evidence whatever property is on the deceased (clothing, jewelry, etc.), so you will need to check with them for any valuables.

The body should not be moved by anyone but the Coroner (for integrity of the crime scene), and they take possession of the body.
The Coroner’s office will notify the next of kin, and provide a photo for identification of the deceased, so the actual body is not viewed – and for this, try to have a support person with you. There are instances where identification may be needed, and families/friends can provide pictures of the decedent’s (person who died) tattoos or scars.
An autopsy is required by law for all homicides. The coroner and team of pathologists make the final determination of cause of death.
Every homicide will have drug testing done at a national lab, which takes about 6 weeks.
The Coroner’s Office issues death certificates; it will likely take a minimum of 6 weeks to do required drug testing, and may be delayed due to investigations and autopsy findings.
If you need a preliminary death certificate for matters involving the decedent’s insurance or estate, you can request one from the Coroner’s office. The funeral home can assist with getting a death certificate.
After the autopsy, the Coroner releases the body to the funeral home or to the morgue.

Wills/estates

An executor represents the decedent’s estate, in a process called a succession. An estate of less than $125,000 typically doesn’t need succession. Louisiana is a community property state, which can impact this process. You may want to find legal guidance [See Civil Legal Matters].

Funeral and life insurance may cover some costs
If qualified, Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) helps with funeral costs up to $6,500 (if the crime happened before May 1, 2023, it allows up to $5,000). You will only be reimbursed for money spent directly (they will not pay back money that insurance has paid) [See our Crime Victim Reparations Guide].

Funeral Information

The LA State Board of Embalmers & Funeral Directors provides consumer rights and guidance to help you through this process.

Website: https://www.lsbefd.state.la.us/

Funerals are shockingly expensive, and unfortunately sometimes people try to take advantage of families during this stressful and traumatic time. Note that funeral homes are required to give you a list of all the costs involved - the only costs that are not negotiable are administrative costs.

It is recommended you ask your NOPD Victim/Witness Advocate for funeral home suggestions; you can also reach out to the local nonprofit S ilenceIsViolence.
Most funeral homes will require payment upfront (most do not offer payment plans, but ask if they offer reduced rates). Due to the high costs of funerals, it is common for 2 or 3-week delays between the death and funeral.

Other options are to have the body of the deceased embalmed and dressed for an open-casket funeral, and then to proceed with cremation rather than burial (which is more expensive). Ashes can be stored at a mausoleum, at the home of a family member, or scattered at a place where a loved one enjoyed spending time. A memorial service may be held if the body is not present, for whatever reason.

If you have safety or retaliation concerns that may arise around the funeral, please speak to your NOPD Victim/Witness Advocate or Detective, a pastor, or community leader [See Community Assistance for other violence reduction groups].

If you decide to write an obituary, you could consider if you want monetary donations made to a charity or organization. For example, one woman asked people to help contribute to restoring a playground her son played in.

Agencies involved

NOPD; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Coroner’s Office; Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Civil lawyers (wills, lawsuits, etc.) see Legal Assistance; Docket Master (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); SilenceIsViolence (support groups/services, all types of violence with focus on gun violence); UMC Trauma Recovery Center (support groups, all types of violence); LSR (support groups, all types of violence); NOPD Chaplains (Baptist Community Ministries, works with NOPD); Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) (victim-survivor compensation)

Armed Robbery

Detectives from the district where the crime happened will investigate.

You may take detailed notes or documentation of what you remember, like: distinguishing characteristics of the suspect (tattoos, hairstyle, clothing), their direction of flight, or any items that are not yours that may have been left behind.

If you’ve had your phone stolen, you can see if location tracking is enabled, and check for any unusual charges on your stolen credit cards (and cancel all stolen debit or credit cards).
You can communicate this information to the Detective in your case. Again, remember that any notes must be shared with the defense during discovery (if you refer to them during the prosecution/trial process). It is important to understand that anything you share with the ADA (Assistant District Attorney) regarding your case is shared with the Defense.
List stolen items. See if you have any photos or receipts for them.

Agencies involved

NOPD; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Docket Master (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); UMC Trauma Recovery Center (support groups, all types of violence); LSR (support groups, all types of violence); Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) (victim-survivor compensation)

Carjacking

Detectives from the district where the crime happened will investigate.

Some carjackings are very violent and result in hospitalization; such a crime may involve a charge of aggravated battery or even homicide.

You may take notes regarding whatever details you recall, even if there was no physical injury (see notes above in Armed Robbery) and share with your detective.
Contact your auto insurance company about your coverage.
If you paid out-of-pocket fees to recover your stolen vehicle from a tow company in Orleans Parish, you may be eligible for reimbursement from the City of New Orleans using this form:
https://nola.gov/nopd/towed-stolen-vehicle-reimbursement/
Include the item number if your case was reported to the NOPD, but this is not required). As of September 2022, the City of New Orleans should pay for these costs directly. This not only applies to carjacking (where a victim is on scene when the car is stolen) but also vehicular theft (a car is stolen but no one is present).

Agencies involved

NOPD; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Docket Master (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); UMC Trauma Recovery Center (physical trauma, support groups); Louisiana Survivors for Reform LSR (support groups, all types of violence); Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) (victim-survivor compensation

Sexual Assault or Rape

If a sexual assault/rape is reported to NOPD, Detectives from the Special Victims Section will investigate.

This is a wide-ranging issue that might overlap with domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse, trafficking, rape (completed and/or attempted) by either acquaintances or strangers, as well as physical abuse, and/or homicide. For potential additional legal issues, see Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence notes (next section). LAFASA has a list of accredited sexual assault centers in each parish:

https://www.lafasa.org/crisis-centers

Medical Issues

It is very important to get medical care as soon as possible. A survivor may have suffered serious injuries, even if not visible right away. Strangulation in particular can cause hidden injuries.

A survivor should, where possible, avoid washing or douching, or even changing out of their clothes, before the SANE exam.

SANE nurses are registered nurses specially trained to take care of sexual assault survivors and are at certain hospitals. Note that while you can go to any hospital, only certain locations have SANE nurses on staff. In Orleans Parish, victims aged 15 and older can be seen at University Medical Center (UMC). Another available option is the Hope Clinic within the New Orleans Family Justice Center (Mon-Fri, 8 am to 4 pm), and ask for the forensic nurse. In Jefferson Parish, it is Tulane Lakeside Hospital.

If you choose to obtain a sexual assault exam (also called a forensic medical exam or FME), you will not be charged for it.
Victim-survivors 18 years and older should remember that even if they do have a full exam and an evidence kit is completed, they are not obligated to make a police report, per state law.
You can have anyone in the room with you that you want; this is a state law. Also, a medical advocate can be requested to be present (from STAR or NOFJC).
Hospitals are required to offer you emergency contraception (“Plan B”). This is time-sensitive and must be done ASAP.
If you believe you are at risk for HIV, hospitals are also required to test and offer you medications to prevent HIV. This is also time-sensitive and must be done within 3 days of the assault.
If you don’t report to law enforcement, you can still receive care and advocacy services from NOFJC, STAR, or METRO (local advocacy groups), no matter how long it’s been since you were sexually assaulted, or if you don’t want an exam, and/or never reported to the police in the past.
You can track your Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) through this portal: https://sakt.louisiana.gov/ if you enter in the tracking number provided to you on your Survivor Card (which you should have been given after your exam, if your exam was after July 1, 2024). Note, only kits collected after July 1, 2024 are trackable (to our knowledge).

Children (17 and younger) in Orleans Parish can go to the Children’s Hospital’s Audrey Hepburn Care Center 24/7, or in Jefferson Parish, they can go to Children’s Advocacy Center in Gretna - both of these locations have SANE nurses. To look for other Children’s Advocacy Centers near you, visit https://lacacs.org/ for locations throughout the state.

Mandatory reporting

Most trained and licensed service providers are required by state law to report abuse. In general, this covers children (17 and younger), people of any age with a disability, and elderly people. This is intended to keep people safe and enable them to receive care and services. Service providers are supposed to tell you this upfront.

Depending on the circumstances, these reports can be made to local police, medical providers, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and adult or elderly protective services (these are state agencies). If a report is made, you can expect to hear from the agency at some point.

Support through Investigation and Prosecution

The Special Victims Section of the NOPD handles all sexual assault cases, and a detective will be assigned to your case. If you report a sexual assault to police, you can request a Social Worker or Victim/Witness Advocate from NOPD.

If an arrest is made and your case is referred to the DA’s office for prosecution, an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) will be assigned to your case. At this time, you can request a DA Victim/Witness Advocate be assigned to you for this part of the process.

The DA’s SAKI Unit (Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) handles cases that are solved by DNA results (sometimes called CODIS hits) and also works on cold cases. If you would like the unit to look into a cold case sexual assault, you can email saki@orleansda.com.

If your case is being investigated by NOPD, contact your Victim/Witness Advocate if you have difficulty reaching your detective or want a status update. If your case has been referred to the DA for prosecution, you can contact your Victim/Witness Advocate there for updates.

Sexual assault survivors can request a free legal advocate from Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) or the New Orleans Family Justice Center (NOFJC). This person can help you understand the investigation and prosecution process and advocate on your behalf with either the NOPD or the DA’s office on items related to your case. They act as your own independent advocate, while your Assistant District Attorney (ADA) assigned to your case is working on behalf of the state. NOFJC and STAR can also provide civil legal assistance.

See the College & School Campus Crimes section for additional options for reporting sexual violence, including through your college or university’s Title IX office.

Agencies involved

NOPD Special Victims; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO (if accused is jailed); Federal agencies (some cases); Docket Master (to track an Orleans criminal court case) and LA Vine (to sign up for victim notifications of custody status); Crime Victims Reparations (CVR) (victim-survivor compensation)

Forensic medical exams (to get a sexual assault/rape kit): NOFJC Hope Clinic, UMC, Tulane Lakeside, Children’s Hospital, Children’s Advocacy Centers

General support: New Orleans Family Justice Center NOFJC; Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response STAR; Metro Centers for Community Advocacy METRO; Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault LAFASA (statewide organization where you can look for help in your area); LSR (support groups, all types of violence); UMC Trauma Recovery Center (support groups, all types of violence); SLLS (civil legal aid); Rape Abuse and Incest National Network RAINN; StrongHearts (for AIAN individuals, national helpline); VIET (Vietnamese Initiatives, local); Title IX (see College & School Campus Crimes section below); Beyond Harm (restorative approaches and counseling, focused on the person who caused the harm)

For housing/relocation assistance, see our Housing section in RESOURCES

For information on address confidentiality, visit our guide to Louisiana’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence (DV or IPV)

Refer to Sexual Assault/Rape section (above) for information on medical care, SANE nurses, Mandatory Reporting, forensic medical exams, victim witness advocacy, and legal advocacy.

Legal Issues:

Specific legal needs may involve: Restraining or protective order or stay away order; Child custody; Divorce/ Separation. There is affordable/free legal help for both civil and criminal legal matters. The NOFJC (Mary Claire’s Place, formerly Crescent House), Project Save, and Tulane Domestic Violence Law Clinic are a few agencies who offer such help [See Civil Legal and Criminal Legal Matters].

Consider working with a trained advocate (from organizations such as the New Orleans Family Justice Center NOFJC, Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response STAR, or Metro Centers for Community Advocacy METRO) to create a safety plan and danger assessment (NOFJC will do one at your intake session). This might include: informing trusted friends/ family/ neighbors/ workmates/ school; having check-in times; documenting evidence of abuse; having extra keys; gathering important documents (or copies) and keeping them in a safe place; having an emergency bag with essentials, medications, and cash. See more information at: https://lcadv.org/safety-planning/.

It is helpful to consult with a victim advocate through an advocacy group like NOFJC, STAR, a medical facility, or a trained attorney who can walk you through this legal process safely, including notifications to employers and/or schools.

A restraining/protective order has various time lengths, depending on the circumstances. It means the abuser cannot contact you at all; they may have to pay temporary child support and/or may have to stay away from children or have supervised visits; may be liable for other payments; may have to relinquish firearms and/or attend a treatment program, etc. Consult with an attorney for more information and assistance. NOFJC and/or STAR can help you with this as well.

Under Gwen’s Law, if someone is arrested for violation of a protective order, domestic abuse, battery, stalking, or another felony offense involving the use of a deadly weapon or force, they have to go before a judge for a hearing to have their bail set.

A DV/IPV victim can request a landlord to release them early from a lease but must have proof of DV happening in the past 30 days, via a restraining order or certification (you can get legal help from NOFJC, or through SLLS, see Legal Assistance starting on page 53).

Personal safety considerations are important [See Immediate Practical Matters]. If you use the internet, remember to clean your internet search history. Refer to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)’s guide for more details: https://www.techsafety.org/resources-survivors

Children: Ask a professional for helpful tips - this might include: Let people know children can only leave with designated people; show kids how to use 911 and alert schools involved. Consult with Children’s Advocacy Centers for comprehensive assistance [See RESOURCES].

Agencies involved

Forensic medical exams (to get a sexual assault/rape kit): NOFJC Hope Clinic, UMC, Tulane Lakeside, Children’s Hospital, Children’s Advocacy Centers

Legal assistance: NOFJC (Mary Claire’s Place, formerly Crescent House), Project Save, Tulane Domestic Violence Law Clinic; SLLS (civil legal aid)

General support: New Orleans Family Justice Center NOFJC; Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response STAR; Metro Centers for Community Advocacy METRO; Arin’s Nesting Place (New Orleans area organization helping victim-survivors of domestic violence); SilenceIsViolence (support groups/services, all types of violence with focus on gun violence); LSR (support groups, all types of violence); UMC Trauma Recovery Center (support groups, all types of violence); StrongHearts (for AIAN individuals, national helpline); VIET (Vietnamese Initiatives, local); Title IX (see College & School Campus Crimes section below); Beyond Harm (restorative approaches and counseling, focused on the person who caused the harm)

For housing/relocation assistance, see our Housing section in RESOURCES

For information on address confidentiality, visit our guide to Louisiana’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

Stalking

Stalking involves a pattern of behavior (often unpredictable) causing a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others; or from actions that create substantial emotional distress, such as unwanted contact, monitoring, property damage, threats, etc.

Because the conditions of stalking incidents can vary so widely, contact trained advocacy groups (e.g. NOFJC, STAR, SPARC, RAINN) for more specific information based upon your own circumstances.
Call 911 if you feel you are in immediate danger.
Work with a trained advocate (e.g. STAR, NOFJC) to create a safety plan. They can also help you with filing protection orders if needed (See previous sections focused on Sexual Assault and DV/IPV).
Be aware of technological stalking, and get assistance to secure your personal devices. Refer to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)’s guide to tech safety for survivors: https://www.techsafety.org/resources-survivors
You can go to the SPARC website and anonymously complete their Stalking & Harassment Assessment & Risk Profile (SHARP); they also list other resources and info.

Agencies involved

Legal assistance: NOFJC (Mary Claire’s Place, formerly Crescent House), Project Save, Tulane Domestic Violence Law Clinic; SLLS (civil legal aid)

For housing/relocation assistance, see our Housing section in RESOURCES

For information on address confidentiality, visit our guide to Louisiana’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

Child Abuse

Detectives from NOPD’s Special Victims Section will investigate.

This vulnerable population can be crime victims, either repeatedly or by an isolated event. This may be hard to determine if a child is too afraid to share what is happening, or doesn’t understand what has happened. The age of the child also affects different responses, as does exposure to violence, and many other factors.

Try to get them (and family members) professional and behavioral assistance ASAP.
See our mental health issues children face [See Helping Children Cope], and Mandatory Reporting and Medical matters [See Sexual Assault section above].
The DA has a Children’s Advocate for child victims.
To learn more about childhood trauma visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/
Guns are the leading cause of death in America. Request a free gun lock here (only in Orleans Parish).

Agencies involved

Forensic medical exams (to get a sexual assault/rape kit for a child): Children’s Hospital, Children’s Advocacy Centers

General support: Department of Child and Family Services (link to report abuse); Children’s Hospital; Children’s Advocacy Centers; Children’s Bureau; New Orleans Family Justice Center NOFJC; Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response STAR (if sexual abuse)

Elder Abuse

It may include physical, sexual and psychological abuse, neglect and abandonment, as well as financial exploitation. The setting may be in homes, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities, and can involve family members, caregivers, family and friends, or strangers. Some indications are unexplained bruises, fractures, burns, fearfulness.

Helpful resources throughout Louisiana are listed (per state) at the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

Agencies involved

General support: LA Elderly Protective Services (60+): 1 (833) 577-6532 or (225) 342-0144 (may need to leave message); Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services (Dept of Health) helpline: 1 (866) 758-5035; NOAGE (support for older LGBTQ+ adults in New Orleans area)

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a federal crime that occurs when someone is exploited for profit via labor services or commercial sex, using “force, fraud or coercion” (FBI definition).

Survivors of human trafficking are often subjected to threats and/or harm; withholding of money; no access to identity documents; being constantly monitored — they are often afraid to ask for help. You can put yourself in danger if you confront a possible trafficker, so if you suspect trafficking, it’s a good idea to call one of the agencies listed below, or 911.

The federal Blue Campaign lists common signs of trafficking: www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/indicators-human-trafficking.

Agencies involved

Hotlines: National Human Trafficking hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888 or text BeFree: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”); Blue Campaign Tip Line: 1 (866) 347-2423; National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1 (800) 843-5678

Forensic medical exams (to get a sexual assault/rape kit): NOFJC Hope Clinic, UMC, Tulane Lakeside, Children’s Hospital, Children’s Advocacy Centers

Legal assistance: NOFJC (Mary Claire’s Place, formerly Crescent House), Project Save, Tulane Domestic Violence Law Clinic; SLLS (civil legal aid)

General Support: New Orleans Family Justice Center NOFJC; Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response STAR; Metro Centers for Community Advocacy METRO; Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force GNOHTTF; Eden Centers for Hope and Healing

For housing/relocation assistance, see our Housing section in RESOURCES

For information on address confidentiality, visit our guide to Louisiana’s Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

College & School Campus Crimes

Title IX (9) is a federal law that requires all colleges and schools that receive federal funding to protect students, faculty and staff from sex-based discrimination (including sexual harassment or violence).

Each campus has a Title IX Coordinator to whom incidents are reported. Each school must adopt, publish and distribute a policy against discrimination, including what the grievance procedures involve, general disciplinary actions, and assist with reporting and follow-up. Some institutions are more intensive in the support they offer, like including school-appointed peers and hotlines.

If the complaint process is completed and you have additional issues on how the institution has handled it, you have 60 days to file a complaint with the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), although they may defer and agree with the previous decision reached; they will also not handle cases that are still in process at the school or college.

Agencies involved

Refer to applicable Types of Crime sections above for local resources including law enforcement contacts; Visit your school’s website for Title IX contact information (must be listed by law); For information on filing a Title IX complaint, visit the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 1 (800) 421-3481, Email: ocr@ed.gov. Refer to the LA Mental Health Resource Toolkit for a list of college and university support services and Know Your IX (national organization).

Hate Crimes

A hate crime is motivated by prejudice, where the crime is motivated by bias against the victim’s “actual or perceived race, age, gender, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry” or because of actual or perceived membership/employment as a “law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel” (LA RS 14:107.2). It can take many forms including physical assault, verbal abuse, criminal damage, abusive gestures, or offensive graffiti, etc.

Available online resources for LGBTQIA+ survivors of violence:

The United States Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes

The Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/resources/hate-crimes

FORGE: https://forge-forward.org/resources/anti-violence/

Agencies involved: Refer to applicable Types of Crime sections above for local resources including law enforcement contacts; to reach NOPD’s LGBTQ Liaisons Officer Harper: SRHarper@nola.gov; to report a hate crime: FBI 1 (800) CALL-FBI, or https://tips.fbi.gov/; House of Tulip (New Orleans collective helping trans and gender non-conforming persons find housing); LA Trans Advocates; The Trevor Project; Human Rights Campaign; Forge Forward; PFLAG; NOAGE; Vayla (confidentially report New Orleans area anti-Asian hate crimes)

In Custody Crimes

Violence can occur between incarcerated person(s), committed by correctional staff, or directed against staff by incarcerated person(s). Violence can be physical in nature but can also include sexual violence. Such violence is often connected with previously unaddressed traumas even before incarceration, and the many stressors when inside. Family, friends and attorneys can report sexual abuse, harassment, and other sexual misconduct occurring inside Orleans Justice Center (parish jail) using this confidential hotline: 1 (844) 201-4312 or (504) 717-2279.

In many cases when an incarcerated person commits a serious crime while in prison, they will be faced with new criminal charges. In these situations, the individual would be subject to a new trial. In-custody deaths caused by homicide, suicide, and especially drug/alcohol intoxication, have also been rising dramatically over the past decade (per the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2018).

Agencies involved: Dept of Corrections; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (after arrest); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office OPSO; FBI (guard on inmate crimes); Coroner’s Office (if there is a death)

In Orleans Parish Prison: To report abuse and sexual assaults: 1-844-201-4312 or (504) 717-2279;

General support: Voice of the Experienced V.O.T.E.; Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI); Daughters Beyond Incarceration; Operation Restoration

Fatal Drug Overdoses

(not a crime, but sometimes associated with criminal charges)

In recent years, U.S. drug overdose deaths have increased to historic levels, surpassing 100,000 overdoses in 2021. Many of these deaths involve fentanyl, a synthetic opioid frequently mixed into street drugs.

In 2021, the Orleans Parish Coroner reported to the New Orleans City Council that there were 492 accidental drug-related deaths, which was twice the homicide rate. Of these victims, 94% tested positive for fentanyl and about 60% involved cocaine

[Source: 2021 Coroner’s Report on Accidental Drug-Related Deaths in New Orleans, neworleanscoroner.com].

Decades of criminalization of drug use have led to stigma and the fear of prosecution among drug users. Often, in the event of an overdose, bystanders may choose to leave the scene due to past negative interactions with first responders.

Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law was recently changed to offer more protections to those at the scene of an overdose to encourage individuals to provide life-saving aid, including calling first responders.

There are 4 Fire Stations across New Orleans that provide free Narcan, which can sometimes reverse opioid overdoses, without any questions asked.

Call first to check they have supplies available
To reach each fire station call: (504) 658-4700
Locations: 2920 Magazine St / 317 Decatur St / 5401 Read Blvd / 2500 General DeGaulle Dr
If you see an unresponsive person, call 911 or get professional help
For those struggling with substance use, go to https://vialink.org/or call 2-1-1

Agencies involved: NOPD (could be various departments involved); Coroner’s Office; Orleans District Attorney’s Office DA (if there is an arrest); Possible federal agencies including DEA, FBI, US Attorney (some cases); NO Health Dept.

Suicide

(not a crime, but sometimes associated with criminal charges)

Suicide, while not a crime, involves many of the same issues and concerns included in other areas of this book.

Call 988 for their Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

If you, or someone you love, seems to suffer with suicidal ideation (thoughts of ending your life), please get psychological assistance and call a hotline (or 988).

There are grief support groups specifically dealing with this [See Support Groups].

Make sure any guns are safely locked away. https://preventfirearmsuicide.efsgv.org/states/louisiana/

Agencies involved: NOPD; Coroner’s Office; Call 988 or 1 (800) 273-TALK [8255]; Text “strength” to 741741; or visit the website https://988lifeline.org/; Survivors of Suicide Loss; The Trevor Project