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The NOPJF Encourages Locals to “Adopt-A-Cop” for Carnival

by Dawne Massey

February 8, 2017

Categories: Announcement

Topics: Partnerships

The NOPJF Encourages Locals to “Adopt-A-Cop” for Carnival

The New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation (NOPJF) has launched its annual Adopt-A-Cop initiative. The program raises funds to provide meals, snacks and beverages for law enforcement personnel during the 12 days of extended shifts that accompany Carnival season.

 

Beginning February 17 and continuing through Fat Tuesday, NOPD officers will be policing the parades and the activities associated with New Orleans’ annual Mardi Gras celebration. In addition to keeping revelers safe along the parade routes, officers will also work extended shifts patrolling the city’s eight police districts.

 

“One thing we like to remind people is that there would be no purple, green and gold without the blue,” said Melanie Talia, NOPJF President and CEO. “NOPD officers are working a minimum of an 8-hour shift along the parade routes and 12-hour shifts in police districts throughout the city. Adopt-A-Cop allows members of the community to show their support for the men and women in blue.”

 

Funds raised for the Adopt-A-Cop program provide hot meals, healthy snacks, and beverages for NOPD officers and all of the law enforcement agencies that help police Mardi Gras.  The Adopt-A-Cop food truck makes the rounds and brings sandwiches and snacks to other law enforcement agencies working the parade route including the Louisiana State Police, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Tulane Police Department.  

 

“Officers working Mardi Gras are very appreciative of the food provided by the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation,” said Superintendent Michael Harrison. “As someone who has spent many hours working long shifts during Mardi Gras, I can personally tell you how much it means to us to have access to good food that we can eat quickly and easily. And we appreciate the fact that the citizens of New Orleans make this happen for us each year."

 

During the 12 days of Mardi Gras, NOPD officers will work nearly 54,000 hours along the parade routes and on the streets of the city.  In addition, NOPD will provide security for the tens of thousands of visitors in town for the NBA All-Star Game and All-Star Weekend festivities, which take place February 17-19, 2017. 

 

About the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation

The mission of the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation is to make New Orleans a safer place in which to live, work and visit. We accomplish this by promoting excellence in policing, efficiency in criminal justice and positive community engagement.