Louisiana cannot allow domestic violent offenders subject to restraining orders to possess firearms
Arthur Hunter • February 9, 2023

I took a tour of the new home of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Orleans, and it reminded me of when I was a Mental Health Court judge, and that mental health

issues are not solely restricted to people living under the interstate or begging for money at intersections.


It is also our family members, young people, friends, neighbors, co-workers and veterans.

If we want to improve the lives of people suffering from mental illness, be safe and make our city livable, these are some things we can do now:


  1. Develop a holistic comprehensive plan bringing together the health department, mental health professionals, drug addiction experts, criminal justice agencies, the medical community, affordable housing and homelessness advocates, to identify, treat and pool resources to improve mental health services.
  2. Build the Phase 3 facility near the medical complex on Tulane Avenue and in addition to treating arrested people with mental illness, also make it an acute care facility to treat people who have not been arrested.
  3. Ask Governor John Bel Edwards to increase the Medicaid reimbursement for mental health before he leaves office.
  4. Have mental health professionals and NOPD crisis intervention officers respond to crisis calls, for the safety of mental health care professionals.
  5. Start early screening and treatment for children, teens and young adults.
  6. Have the district attorney’s office, public defender’s office, and private defense attorneys work with the Criminal District Court Mental Health Court judge to provide treatment and monitoring of nonviolent offenders with mental health issues while their cases are pending.


Implementation of these policies will reduce the number of people living under the interstate, begging at intersections, reduce crime and jail costs, and also improve the lives of our family members, young people, friends, neighbors, co-workers and veterans suffering from mental illness.


There is one thing I learned as a Mental Health Court judge-and I have Judge Calvin Johnson to thank for this-if you save one person, you save a family, when you save a family, you save a neighborhood and when you save a neighborhood, you save the city.


Former Judge Arthur L. Hunter, Jr. was a New Orleans police officer and served as Chief Judge, and judge of Mental Health Court, Reentry Court and Veteran’s Treatment Court.

ARTHUR HUNTER IN THE NEWS

April 16, 2025
Judge Arthur Hunter’s campaign for Mayor of New Orleans released its first campaign video today, powerfully framing his life’s work as a police officer and judge who has always fought for justice, accountability, and the people of New Orleans.
April 15, 2025
Judge Arthur Hunter’s campaign for Mayor of New Orleans has raised over $110,000 in just over a month, marking a strong and early show of support for his grassroots movement to deliver honest, effective, and accountable leadership.
March 12, 2025
Hunter, a former NOPD officer, Criminal Court Judge, and longtime advocate for police accountability, warned that such a change would inject harmful political influence into an institution that should remain focused on public safety and professionalism—not politics.
March 12, 2025
“New Orleans is in trouble. Our streets are broken, crime is out of control, and too many families are struggling. We can’t keep making excuses—it’s time for real solutions,” said Hunter.
February 27, 2025
"To date, I’ve personally met with over 300 different people, organizations, and groups about the issues facing us. One thing is clear: New Orleans is at a crossroads," said Hunter.
In Bourbon Street security zone for Super Bowl, coolers are out but guns are OK
By John Simerman and Jeff Adelson | NOLA.com January 31, 2025
As crowds descend on Bourbon Street in the run-up to the Super Bowl, they'll be met by a layer of checkpoints aimed at enforcing new restrictions that state officials say will keep the crowds safe. But the new ring of defenses won’t keep out one of the deadliest weapons in America: the firearm.
Ensuring we all feel safe and are stably employed
By Arthur Hunter January 15, 2025
Ever since the 9/11 terrorist attacks that took down the World Trade towers in New York, cities been more aware that these tragedies can happen anywhere. In particular, the city of New Orleans as been declared a soft target for a terrorist attack, partly because of the large crowds that gather here, on our streets.
Being a New Orleans Police officer is a tough job!
By Arthur Hunter January 3, 2025
As a former New Orleans Police Department officer, I can tell you from first-hand experience that being a New Orleans Police officer is a tough job. You will be placed in dangerous situations and have to make split decisions to protect people, even if it means disregarding your own safety.
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