According to officials, the rats in the evidence room of the decaying New Orleans Police Department headquarters are the only creatures that appear to be enjoying the deteriorating building.
“The marijuana in our possession is being consumed by rats. It’s quite amusing, really,” remarked NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick during a recent city Criminal Justice Committee meeting.
The dilapidation goes beyond the evidence room. According to CBS affiliate WWL-TV, staff at the NOPD headquarters on Broad Street often find rat droppings on their desks due to the infestation of rats and roaches. This highlights the extent of the problem and the urgent need for maintenance and pest control measures.
According to a report by WWL-TV on Monday, the air conditioners in the building are not functioning properly, and the elevators are out of order.
During his testimony, Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance of aligning words with actions. He stated, “We cannot claim to value our employees if we allow them to work in unacceptable conditions.”
According to WWL, the Council members voted in favor of approving a lease for a new building for the NOPD during Monday’s committee meeting. As per the new 10-year lease, the city would incur a monthly cost of $670,000. This option proves to be more affordable compared to the estimated $30 million required for repairing the existing headquarters, as highlighted by Gilbert Montano, the city’s chief administrative officer, in the WWL report.
Kirpatrick, in an interview with WWL after the meeting, emphasized the significant impact on morale when the work environment or living situation is inappropriate.
If the new lease is approved by the full council, the city’s police department will be free of rats by this summer.
