first district

Thank you from NOPD’s First District

December 26, 2015 by Charlie London

photos and info from Kristie Carr

Commander Otha Sandifer and the officers of the First District thank you for your contributions and moral support.
Without your generous donations, the Christmas Gift Giveaway would not have been possible.

Because of your donations, the 1st District was able to give bicycles to the pre-Kindergarten students of St. Peter Claver school.

Click on the letter from Commander Otha Sandifer below for a larger view.

The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making New Orleans a safer place to work, live and visit. Financial contributions to the NOPJF are fully tax-deductible, and the Foundation is registered with the charitable-giving information resource on GuideStar.org. Our organization’s financial statements are audited annually by an external accounting firm (Postlethwaite & Netterville). Our annual 990 IRS informatoin return is also prepared by Postlehwaite & Netterville, copies of which can be viewed on GuideStar’s website. We also undergo a “single audit” each year that examines compliance with all federal circulars, regulations and reporting requirements associated with federal grant funds awarded to our organization directly or as pass-through grants where the Foundation is the Fiscal Agent.

Bicycles and Toys for Children

November 4, 2015 by Charlie London

N.O.P.D. 1st District Commander Otha Sandifer writes:

With the approaching holiday season, the members of the New Orleans Police Department’s First District have been contemplating on how to assist the needy children of our district for Christmas.

In addition to the members of the district donating a toy for a child, we are reaching out to all of our partners which includes businesses and neighborhood associations. We are asking that you consider donating money (preferably at least $50.00), bicycles or toys for this event.

We hope to be able to give gifts to all of our pre-K and kindergarten children in our district. All monetary donations must be made to the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation in the name of the First District with “toy giveaway” in the memo.

Please donate by Monday, December 14, 2015. This will allow us time to make the presentations to the students before their Christmas break.

We thank you in advance for assisting us with this endeavor. Anything you can assist us with will be appreciated.

Inspirational Leader Gets Praise

May 25, 2013 by Charlie London

Commander Robert Norton

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~John Quincy Adams

May 25, 2013
Dear Bobby:

For the past six years, you have brought the First District out of its Katrina depression into one of the safest communities in New Orleans. There has never been a problem too small or too large that you could not personally respond. Even though you worked all day, you went to all of our crime walks and whatever other little thing we did.

Every police officer in the First District is professional in appearance and demeanor. It’s no accident that the First District has lower crime statistics than many areas in New Orleans: this condition is the result of a cohesive, professional unit of law enforcement officers. You have been a beacon of hope, kindness, and effective law enforcement for the First District.

Although we can be a fussy, picky group of people, you have always dispatched exactly the right Quality of Life Officer for Faubourg St. John. I know of no one who would hesitate to ask or tell Robert Norton anything. You have always responded to our email complaints and questions, phone calls and conversations graciously and attempted to understand our points of view.

Not long ago, you mobilized this entire community to find an armed robber. As vigilant as we were–and we were extremely observant and communicative with each other– we didn’t find him. But we ceased to be targets of opportunity, were able to relate information in a timely fashion that led to the arrest of others, and never heard from the armed robber again.

When Commander Norton asked for tips, everyone looked everywhere and came up with some tips! Actually, you probably got way too many tips. Still, this incident stands out for me as emblematic of our respect and trust in Robert Norton.

Bobby, you have been a unifying presence in a district that likes to be divided into little neighborhoods! You have taught us that we’re all in this together and have illustrated how far a little teamwork can go. Whenever I talk to neighbors in Esplanade Ridge, Treme, and Fairgrounds Triangle, everyone knows you and speaks fondly of working with you and your department to solve real problems.

Although you are leaving, you have made permanent changes in the police-community relationship in the First District. You will bring the same professional and caring spirit to your new post as you continue to be a change agent wherever you go. I will miss you terribly and want you to know if there’s every anything I can do for you, I would be so happy to do so.

Kindest Regards,

Mona McMahon

1st District Fundraiser Draws Capacity Crowd

August 21, 2012 by Charlie London

It was a full house for the August 21, 2012 fundraiser at Cafe Degas for the benefit of the New Orleans Police Department’s 1st District

Through the generosity of Glazer’s, the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association and Cafe Degas, thousands were raised to help the 1st District obtain much-needed supplies.