For the past three years, a TV film crew with A&E’s “The First 48” has followed most homicide investigations in New Orleans from start to finish, embedding with detectives and documenting their progress in solving the crimes. But as the show kicks off its 16th season this week, it’s also marking its last season covering the NOPD.
Earlier this year, the NOPD ended its agreement with the popular unscripted crime series to focus all available time and police resources on fighting crime. While the show’s presence in New Orleans will be missed, we’re grateful for the opportunity that we had to shine a national spotlight on the work that the NOPD’s Homicide Division does to bring justice to the families of the victims of these terrible crimes.
It’s pretty clear that New Orleans had just as big of an impact on the “First 48”. So we caught up with Executive Producer Alexis Robie to hear about their time in New Orleans, what they learned and whether they’d consider coming back in the future.
Here are five questions with “First 48” Executive Producer Alexis Robie:
Why did the First 48 choose New Orleans?
The “First 48” had been interested in filming in New Orleans since the beginning of the series, so we were thrilled when the department granted access in 2013.
New Orleans is an iconic American city that greatly intrigued our producers. It is truly a one of a kind location with an incredibly rich history, striking visual personality and a culturally diverse population.
We also knew that the cases in New Orleans present its homicide investigators with challenges as unique and complex as the city itself.
As documenters of homicide investigations, we knew that we needed to be in this city as we seek to understand the broader challenges of the homicide investigator in this country.
What was it like working behind the crime tape with NOPD?
As when we shoot with any police department, filming behind the crime tape is a huge responsibility that we do not take lightly. Our aim is to share with the public the true experiences of law enforcement in a way that has no impact on the investigative process.
We found the material was fascinating, inspiring, and often times very difficult. It was also very hard work for our producers as it is for the detectives. Our crew often wouldn’t sleep for days. They didn’t know when they were going to eat. They were on their feet carrying equipment for hours in brutal heat. But all of these challenges were more than balanced by the honor and task of bearing witness to this essential part of criminal justice system.
Following closely the course of the investigations, hour by hour and day by day, our producers were able to explore worlds and share significant stories that go beyond the crime headline you may see in the newspaper.
Do you think the show made an impact on the New Orleans community?
After spending three years following dozens of homicide investigations, we believe that our program has shined a light on the detectives’ experiences in this city like never before.
Is it possible that this new perspective has allowed the city’s residents to consider what it is like to be a detective in a city where people have in the past mistrusted or feared them? Is it possible that our stories have allowed people to empathize with neighbors who have lost a loved one to death or prison? Will our program empower people to speak out against violence in their own communities?
We have no way to know for sure, but we do hope that we have had a positive impact on the community. And at the very least, we have shown viewers that a cop is more than a badge and a victim is more than a stat. Each life is a world unto itself.
Have you learned anything new after filming in New Orleans?
Living in New Orleans for several years, our producers discovered a great deal about the people and culture from every part of the city. We learned about the great pride that its citizens have in their city despite the challenges. We learned how hard the detectives work despite the high volume of cases and sometimes the lack of community cooperation.
But our time here confirmed what we suspected: that the tragedies in this city are no different from those we have seen in the 20 plus other locations where we have filmed over the past decade. Our experiences also affirmed our observations that there are detectives who will sacrifice whatever necessary to close a case. America is truly unified by both its tears and heroes.
Would you ever come back to New Orleans?
If we were granted access to come back to film with NOPD, we would without question or hesitation. We miss it already.