The Fair Grounds enhanced patrol began August 19, 2007.

As part of the ordinance allowing the New Orleans Fair Grounds to expand their operations to allow for slot machines the Fair Grounds is required to fund enhanced NOPD patrols in areas surrounding their facility. The patrol consists of two patrol cars operating 24 hours per day 7 days a week. The officers in the cars will have mobile phones and can be contacted directly by residents in the patrol area. The patrol area is defined as the area bounded by Desaix Boulevard to Moss Street to Ursulines Avenue to North Broad Avenue to St. Bernard Avenue to Desaix Boulevard.

Enhanced NOPD Patrol
Photo by Tommy Lewis

Mobile phone numbers of Enhanced Patrol officers:

(504) 251-0276
(504) 251-0111

Please keep in mind that this patrol is in addition to regular police patrols. We should still call 911 in case of emergencies. After calling 911 it might make sense to call one of the numbers above.

Map of the Enchanced Patrol Area:

View Larger Map

ORDINANCES CONCERNING THE FAIRGROUNDS

June 21, 1984 | Feburary 7, 1986 | February 4, 1988 | December 17, 1992 | July 28, 2005 | May 3, 2007 | motion – May 2, 2011

INFORMATION CONCERNING SLOTS & EXPANSION OF HOURS

2005 and 2006 Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association discussions of slots at theFairgrounds
February 14, 2007 WWL-TV report on slots at the Fairgrounds
April 30, 2008 Senator Ed Murray proposes bill to lower taxes on slots at the Fairgrounds
August 4, 2009 meeting minutes of the Fairgrounds Citizens Advisory Committee
August, 2009 Fairgrounds Citizens Advisory Committee consideration of FairGrounds proposals
September 9, 2009 information on meeting agenda
September 10, 2009 WWL-TV report on expansion of hours at the Fairgrounds
September 14, 2009 article in the Times Picayune
September 16, 2009 special meeting of the Fairgrounds Citizens Advisory Committee on expansion of hours at the Fairgrounds

FAIRGROUNDS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
2008 | February, 2008 | May, 2008 | August 6, 2008 | August 29, 2008 | November 4, 2008
2009 | February, 2009 | May, 2009 | August, 2009 | September, 2009 | November, 2009
2010 | March, 2010 | May, 2010 | August, 2010 | November, 2010
2011 | February, 2011 | April, 2011 | August 10, 2011 | November 8, 2011
2012 | February, 2012

1978: Fair Grounds Barn

June 15, 1978 article in the Times Picayune
June 20, 1978 article in the Times Picayune
October 31, 1978 article in the Times Picayune
November 18, 1978 article in the Times Picayune

1979: Jazz Fest Parking

April 7, 1979 article in the Times Picayune
April 20, 1979 article in the Times Picayune

1981: Jazz Fest Parking and Security

May 1, 1981 article in the Times Picayune

1983: Night Racing

December 4, 1983 article in the Times Picayune
December 11, 1983 article in the Times Picayune

1984: Night Racing and Off Track Betting

January 19, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
February 8, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning off-track betting.
February 23, 1984 articles in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
March 6, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
April 6, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning altercation between Mayor Dutch Morial and FSJNA representative Alvin Bordelon over night racing.
April 7, 1984 article in the Baton Rouge Advocate concerning altercation between Mayor Dutch Morial and FSJNA representative Alvin Bordelon over night racing.
April 7, 1984 article in the Mobile Register concerning altercation between Mayor Dutch Morial and FSJNA representative Alvin Bordelon over night racing.
April 9, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning the neighborhood celebration of the end of the racing season. The party also included a demonstration against night racing. That’s Nelson Savoie with the peace sign and Warren Guidry next to him. Warren got a permit way ahead of the start of racing season for a block party on Mystery St. for the last day of racing. This essentially blocked entry to VIPs accustomed to using the Mystery St. gate. It called attention to disregard for the neighborhood by the Fairgrounds. Nelson’s brother Sterling, brought his band, we started up, police came, the permit was declared legitimate and neighbors who had been afraid of the Fairgrounds joined us for the party. Nelson’s brother played music under a tent in our driveway at 1509 Mystery St. We had great media coverage. The Fairgrounds had just hired a consultant to determine why they were doing so poorly and the number one issue was public relations. The notoriety of our actions brought the Fairgrounds to the table for the first time and an ordinance was the outcome.
April 19, 1984 article in the Times Picayune concerning night racing.
May 25, 1984 editorial in the Times Picayune stating night racing is unfair to the neighborhood.
November 16, 1984 article in the Times Picayune noting changes in the racing season.

1988: Off Track Betting

April 7, 1988 article in the Westbank News section of the Times Picayune concerning off-track betting.
April 7, 1988 article in the Metro section of the Times Picayune concerning off-track betting.
April 20, 1988 article in the Times Picayune noting resolution of issues with Faubourg St. John.“Leaders of the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association say they are pleased with the Fair Grounds’ agreement to reduce night outdoor lighting, provide free on-site parking and take other steps to avoid disrupting nearby residents.”