New Orleans is still grappling with the consequences of a massive jailbreak. This tragic incident has understandably raised alarm for the public’s safety as well as Sheriff Susan Hutson’s leadership over Orleans Parish. In the early morning hours of May 16, inmates removed a “defective” cell door. That daring breakout has ignited what the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, called broader of one of the biggest jailbreaks in that state’s history. The incident has sparked increasing calls for Hutson’s resignation. Citizens are making their voices heard to express concerns over the danger and city oversight of the city’s jails.
The escapees, including 21-year-old Byron Jackson and 26-year-old Jamar Robinson, managed to evade capture for several days, leaving behind a taunting message on the wall: “To Easy LoL.” Within five days, law enforcement authorities had recaptured five of the escapees. The manhunt brought hundreds of officers to the city, including into its iconic — and largely residential — historic French Quarter, raising the anxiety level of the city’s beleaguered residents even higher.
Public Safety Concerns Rise
Even the city of New Orleans, which devotes half its budget to public safety, including jails and police. This most recent incident has again put to question the efficacy of those investments. It’s no surprise that for many residents, the system has failed them, especially after learning of the escapees’ violent histories. Derrick Groves, the elder of the two escapees, had been convicted on two separate counts of second-degree murder. His previous ties to violent occurrences have raised alarm about the safety of the community and if proper protections are being implemented.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said that two of his prosecutors evacuated. They brought their families with them, worried that the escaped enslaved people would seek retribution against their former masters. This exodus illustrates the fear that is rippling through the legal community and striking fear into the hearts of U.S. citizens everywhere.
Caliegh Flynn, a Baltimore County resident who has suffered the effects of the jailbreak, highlighted how unsafe she has been made by COBO’s actions. “I’ve had more people who are out of town talk to me about the escape than those who live here,” she said. “My mom texted me and told me to lock my doors.”
City Resilience Tested Again
New Orleans is a city with a deep history of resilience, emerging from innumerable crises—from hurricanes to violent white supremacy. Even amid this most recent adversity, local leaders say it’s time to double down with focus and purpose to forge ahead. Gonzales, another resident, remarked on the city’s spirit: “We keep it moving here. This city never stops. We keep going. We have to.”
This latest jailbreak has reopened gaping wounds across our city associated with other brutal moments in New Orleans history. Many residents have likened this escape to the city’s negligence after Hurricane Katrina. They draw parallels to the anticipated 2025 truck attack on Bourbon Street. The sugarcoated platitudes aside, the undercurrent belief seems to be that New Orleanians are used to thriving amidst disorder—be it produced by natural disasters or criminal activity.
Flynn warned that the fear created by these types of events can cut off community engagement and normal routines. “The fear of possibility can make you fearful of doing things, meeting other people, and that’s antithetical to how people want to live here,” she said.
Law Enforcement Response
Immediately after the jail break, the New Orleans Police Department was placed on high alert. Under former Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, they deployed helicopters, technology and other resources to guard victims, witnesses and judges associated with the escapees’ cases. Their actions signal a new commitment to restore order and keep the public safe in the face of increased public safety fears.
Law enforcement agencies initiated a massive manhunt, canvassing multiple targeted neighborhoods and businesses. Jack lingered a while at their rendezvous with police, as officers found one of the escapees napping under a getaway car in the Hotel Monteleone’s parking garage. This alarming but rapid response is a testament to how quickly and urgently authorities recognized the need to act and intervene.
Cops have doubled down on crime fighting in the wake of the jailbreak. At the same time, community leaders hold an optimism that their quick moves will prevent some of that danger and eventually assuage residents’ fears. Gonzales noted that “a criminal is a criminal and they may do something, make a move, or make a mistake, where they get caught. It’s just a matter of time.”
Leave a Reply