Title

An Evaluation of the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Crime in New Orleans, Louisiana

Document Type

Research Report

Comments


An Applied Research Project (Political Science 5397) Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Spring 2009.
Faculty Approval:
Dr. Hassan Tajalli
Dr. Dianne Raj
Ms. Julia Weathersbee, MPA

Abstract

This Applied Research Project is an explanatory study that evaluates the impact of Hurricane Katrina on crime rates in New Orleans. By analyzing existing data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Census, this research measures crime trends in New Orleans from January 2002 through December 2007. The findings of this research suggest that some types of crime increased after this disaster, while others decreased. In New Orleans, most crime rates increased significantly beginning in January 2006. Additionally, most crime rates appeared to be returning to pre-storm levels by December 2007. Since the reconstruction of New Orleans is projected to last for between 8 and 11 years, this research evaluates crime trends early in the reconstruction of the city