Rats High on Marijuana Feast in Decaying New Orleans Police Department Headquarters

This week, officials revealed the dire conditions at the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) headquarters. According to NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, the building is infested with rats and roaches, and the situation is so severe that the rodents are feeding on confiscated marijuana in the evidence room, leading them to be "high."

Deteriorating Infrastructure

The dilapidation goes beyond the infested evidence room. The building's air conditioners are non-functional and the elevators are out of service. Employees are reportedly finding rat droppings on their desks, creating an unsanitary and uncomfortable work environment.

Addressing the Problem

Kirkpatrick expressed concern about the impact of these conditions on employee morale and emphasized the need to provide suitable working conditions. The city's Criminal Justice Committee approved a new 10-year lease for a building to relocate the NOPD, which is projected to cost $670,000 per month. Despite the high cost, it is still more economical than the estimated $30 million required to renovate the current headquarters.

Future Outlook

If the new lease is approved by the full council, the NOPD could be operating in a new, rat-free environment as early as this summer, providing a much-needed improvement to the working conditions for the city's police department.