Going to New Orleans on a mission trip, need tips.

[mljdeckard]

It is true that New Orleans is a dangerous city. BUT, I'm going to bet that the vast majority of crimes happen to people doing things you won't be doing in places you won't be. Just do what you said, observe curfew, use the buddy system, and keep your eyes open anyway.

Remember the counsel given by Brigham Young to settlers in the Utah territory dealing with hostile natives. "Pray always. But keep your powder dry."

 

[GEM]

Don't do stupid things. After spring break years ago, some students told me this story.

They went to New Orleans and the French Quarter. They decide to buy some weed. They found a gentleman who said if they drive to this location (he will show them, they can buy weed). Great plan and off they go.

They get to the location and a set of gentlemen say - Give us your money and wallets and the car!

That seemed like a plan. Except, one of the students full of the love of humanity from his liberal arts background says: You don't have to do this. I understand your culture and where you are coming from.

Thus, he was beaten silly. The others fled.

 

[ezypikns]

Amen to that.

You sure did pick a hot time to come here.

Was in Lafayette last weekend (just west of N.O.) and thought I'd die from the heat and humidity........and I'm from Texas.

 

[308win]

Enjoy the food - ask locals where they go as many of the good places aren't in the tourist parts of town.

Be aware of your surroundings - e.g. the French Quarter is a busy place at all hours (or at least up until 2am or so) and still a dangerous place anytime. I would stay away from the RiverWalk area after dark if it were me.

The New Orleans police are not terribly helpful in the unfortunate event you need help and are not your friends - in my experience from 10 years ago anyway.

 

[WNTFW]

Don't buy or do drugs.
Stay out of the 'Melp'
Don't talk to ladies with Adam's Apples.

I'm from NOLA originally. My parents moved to the suburbs when I was 4. Still live on the Westbank. I don't have problems everywhere I go. That said You are right to not drop your guard.

Exercise common sense. Yes it is hot right now.

There are many good places to eat in & out of the Quarter. The Quarter is a different place depending on what time it is.

I don't know what your time & travel arrangements allow.
If you can, go to Anoine's between lunch & dinner. Walk in & tell them you would just like to see the place. It is one of those 1 of a kind places that evolved into what it is.

Angelo Brocato's on Carrolton would be a good place to go - it is an Italian ice cream parlor.

There is Gretna Gun on the West Bank - it is like a little museum in one part.

My house could use painting ! ! !

 

[Ash]

There are some really great Lebanese resturants on Carrolton, too.

Ash

 

[Jason_G]

New Orleans...

...where the women are women, and some of the men are too!

Seriously, New Orleans ain't bad unless you are in the wrong places at the wrong times. It's mostly tourists down there nowadays. As with any big citiy, know where you are going and stay out of "da 'hoods". I would also stay out of the Quarters at night. During the day it's fine.

Make sure your wallet fits well in your back pocket, and avoid the check book style wallets that stick out of the pocket. Either that, or put it in one of your front pockets. I've never had anyone try to pickpocket me, but the streets are really crowded, and better safe than broke.


Some folks mentioned open carry. Although open carry of a pistol may be legal for 18 and up, folks will not allow you in their establishments with a pistol on, and you will have to leave if asked. On top of that, the streets are so crowded that you wouldn't want to be open carrying unless you had a level 2 or 3 retention holster anyway. Furthermore, there are cops all over in the city, so there shouldn't be any worries.

Relax and have a great time. Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee (most folks get cafe aux lait, but I like mine black with chicory). Go early, it gets crowded after the late risers get up. Mother's used to have great po-boys, but I haven't been there in forever.

BTW if you're on the Boardwalk, and a fella comes up to you and says he'll bet you $10 he knows when you got your shoes and where you got your shoes, tell him "I got them right here on my feet, right now", and keep your $10 in your pocket.



Jason

 

[RapidFireBeak]

When I was there a few years back, there were a number of LA National Guard soldiers patrolling the tourist areas. This was a few months after the hurricane. Is that still the case?

The same safety rules apply as any other urban area. I would not recommend relying on a knife for defense (though there are certainly enough utility reasons to carry one). It won't serve you very well against a firearm, and any local thug worth his salt will probably have a gun.

Situational awareness is the best defense. Don't advertise that you're a tourist.

Don't get a case of the macho. Macho ties stupid as the leading causes of death and serious injury among young males.

Just use some common sense and have fun. It's a unique place to visit.

 

[IAJack]

I have been there a couple times to visit friends. Stay out of the cemeteries. There are a couple just off the quarter but they arent places you want to go. Also be mindful of where you go because like mentioned the neighborhoods can change almost instantly. Keep your wits about you and carry your belongings where they are secure.

 

[4t5]

Going to New Orleans on a mission trip, need tips.

My tip: Find some mission work to do in Georgia. Seriously, I don't understand why people need to make long trips to do church work. Is Georgia all done? I saw a church group at the airport headed for Trinidad to do some mission work. It seems that the church's money would be better spent on things other than travel expenses, airfare, etc.

 

[Guns and more]

You would think he was going to a hostile country instead of New Orleans. Can't be all that much going on there as people just are trying to recover their losses and make a life for themselves.

I guess you didn't see the armed Russian guards right after Katrina.
Seriously, I have walked a lot of New Orleans. French Quarter is one of the safest places due to the tourists. They get more police protection than the locals. Most of the people are good folks in a tough spot. Don't wander too far from the tourist spots, it goes downhill fast.
Skip Bourbon St. Although it's safe, it's just too many drunk tourists.
I wouldn't bring anything too valuable to leave in a hotel room. You'll spend all your time worrying about it. (Rightfully so).
Great food, great music, mostly great people, don't be afraid to chat with them.
Be aware.
New Orleans is sensory overload. In two blocks, you'll smell BBQ, dog poop, crayfish, vomit, fried food, and cotton candy.

 

[c919]

+1 to anyheck

I'm from NOLA and have lived here for my entire life.

One thing to keep in mind while on foot or by car (to a lesser extent) is that because of the structure of the city, it's possible to go from ritzy $1m+ homes to ghettos in the space of a couple of blocks and then back in a couple more blocks in the same direction... Just know where you are going before you go there.

Do check out Frenchmen Street, which is in the Bywater immediately adjacent to the French Quarter, and decidely less touristy. Have a burger at the Port of Call on Esplanade.

Locals almost never go to Bourbon st fyi.

You sure did pick a hot time to come here.
anyheck is offline Report Post Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

He pretty much nailed it with that. I too am from New Orleans (Uptown), although I now live with my wife in TN.

anyheck is right. Locals hate the touristy parts of the Quarter and the bums arent any worse than anywhere else. Use good judgement on where your walking and be aware that if you leave the Quarter, you are going to be in less policed zone.

Police want the quarter safe, it is the cash-cow of NOLA. However, with a few exceptions the Quarter is surrounded by worse neighborhoods.

Advice: Go check out St. Charles st. and Audubon Park. Get some food on Magazine st.
The French Quarter is not the only place in NO. In fact, it is one of the less cool parts of the wonderful city of NO. Have fun and dont be so freaked out that you wont have a good time. If its any consolation, I have never in all the time I lived there been robbed or beaten or even scared for my well being (and that includes walking by myself to and from work at night, in the Quarter alone at night,etc).

 

[Darkninja]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a collapsible baton. More reach than your knife, will do just as much damage and doesn't have the legality issues knives often carry.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a collapsible baton. More reach than your knife, will do just as much damage and doesn't have the legality issues knives often carry.

You would definitely want to check legality of that. I don't know what the law allows in Louisiana but in Michigan a collapsible baton is treated as a deadly weapon, and is not covered by a concealed pistol license - in other words, carry one and you can be charged with a felony (in Michigan).

 

[Darkninja]

You would definitely want to check legality of that. I don't know what the law allows in Louisiana but in Michigan a collapsible baton is treated as a deadly weapon, and is not covered by a concealed pistol license - in other words, carry one and you can be charged with a felony (in Michigan).

Well he's 18 anyway, and the carrying of a knife could be considered a deadly weapon as well. That being said, I agree, check the local laws before you decide on anything.

 

[grndslm]

BTW if you're on the Boardwalk, and a fella comes up to you and says he'll bet you $10 he knows when you got your shoes and where you got your shoes, tell him "I got them right here on my feet, right now", and keep your $10 in your pocket.

If there's anything you should take away from this thread... it's this one comment!! What a classic.

I carried a flashlight only, since a knife was also out where I was. Awareness is your #1 tool, no matter what weapon you have. Your mindset is #2 - be ready and willing to act decisively. Any tools you have are priority #3.

I'm just kidding.... this was the greatest thing to take away. The French Quarter is no problem, but everywhere in New Orleans seems to be setup with some $500,000 homes and then the hood alternating every 2 blocks or so. It's weird. Just respect people, and you'll probly be OK.

A flashlight is probly your best bet for self-defense. In Mississippi, a baton is illegal if not on my private property (home or car) or I have a CCW. I called to ask the cops if it was OK for me to carry a baton with me on my bicycle for self defense, and they said it wasn't... but it was OK for me to have it in my car. Same with a gun. Technically, the law states I can carry a baton/gun with me while in a "motor vehicle"... so when I'd go to court, I'd just tell the judge, "I was the MOTOR!" I wonder if that would work for walking too? Hmm....

 

[Darkninja]

Never mind on the baton then. Flashlight is probably the best, you can blind an attacker or grip it to give your knuckles more strength.