Night Safety., New Orleans

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Just after Katrina, many businesses in the French Quarter without adequate doors and locks got looted. Many of these businesses were small shops that having lost their uninsured inventory had to close for good. Meanwhile, on the street, the worse threats by back alley thugs were washed away according to locals living there. What remains are young pot smoking panhandlers, mostly restricted to the Marigny district, but these jobless wanderers aren't generally dangerous unless overly drunk. It's a good idea to wear casual clothes and avoid wearing jewelry in this part of town at least at night. Otherwise the French Quarter, Garden District, and Aububon Park districts appear to be quite safe anytime of the day or night. The only other danger would be the piles of garbage and uneven pavement of the French Quarter; however, the decadent nature of the French Quarter is one reason this is the Big Easy. UPDATE: In the past year since our visit, New Orleans has undergone a disturbing increase in violent crime, but most of this appears to be in the neighborhoods, not the touristed French Quarter. Murders of long standing residents by drive-by assailants is particularly disturbing and resulted in an large multi-racial parade of protest by residents demanding gangsters to reign themselves in as well as better police protection. This sort of crime problem and method of protest is a historic feature of New Orleans politics.

Just be very careful in New Orleans at night time...... Its a great fun city at night but it is imperative that you keep along the populated areas and stick to what seems to be the "safe streets".
When moving between Canal street in the city or the riverwalk/aquarium to the french quarter/bourbon street be careful to take the streets that are most populated, getting off the beaten path in New Orleans at night can be risky and not very nice.
But overall just common sense really, nothing major to stress about.

Beware walking around by yourself at night. Most crimes occur very late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. Be aware of the areas not to go into unless you are with a crowd. If driving, park your car in a well lit area.

New Orleans has a very high level of crime. It is safe to walk around the French Quarter daytime and nightime, as well as in other touristy areas of the city such as the Garden District during the day. However, don't walk at night outside the French Quarter.

Everyone knows that NO can be a rough place. Use your common sense, stick to well-lighted, well-populated areas. At night I recommend taking taxis, there are a lot of small dark alleys between the bright streets.

New Orleans is a very dangerous city and one's safety shouldn't be taken lightly. Insofar as the French Quarter is concerned, during the day it's pretty safe to wander anywhere you like. If something starts looking shady or you don't see the droves of people anymore, turn back. At night, it is particularly dangerous. Don't wander off of Bourbon Street. You'll notice, anyway, the lack of lights once you get to a certain point. There have been muggings, murders, everything around here, so be careful. Also, theft... watch out for your wallet or purse.

One thing you may want to watch out for is attempting to get to Jackson Square at night. You have to go through a few dark corners. This also applies if you want to get to Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. (A popular bar and the beginning of many ghost/vampire tours.)

During my first trip, the French Quarter experienced a black out on one nite--we were told to go back to our hotels and everything shut down. It was a little freaky, and apparently that is when the 'bad element' comes out. I perfer to say...'THE FREAKS COME OUT AT NITE...THE FREAKS COME OUT AT NITE...' (for those familiar with the song)