The Stray Bullet Phenomenon
Arthur Hunter • May 8, 2023

We are all too aware of what I call the “Stray Bullet Phenomenal”, which is being killed or wounded in a stray bullet shooting. It can happen by being an innocent bystander, watching TV in your house, eating in a restaurant, or driving your car on the interstate.


A study by the University of California-Davis Health System (2012), found “most people killed or wounded in stray bullet shootings were unaware of the events leading to the gunfire that caused their injuries, nearly one-third of the victims were children and nearly one-half were women.”


Another study by JAMA(2012), concluded “most stray bullet shootings arose from violence, but they frequently affected females, children and older adults. Those who were shot had little or no warning or opportunities to prevent once the shooting started.”


With the proliferation of guns on the streets, criminals who cannot shoot straight, and shootings occurring anytime of the day, what solutions can we employ to reduce the number of stray bullet shootings.


One of the things we can do is:

  1. Request the State Police to patrol the I-10, I-610, 1-510 and state highways in the city, namely Chef Menteur Highway, Broad, Gentilly, Claiborne and St. Claude Avenues.
  2. Assign NOPD Traffic Division (motorcycles and marked units) and SWAT units in unmarked cars, also patrol the state highways and in addition, major streets such as Elysian Fields, Franklin, St. Bernard, Hayne, Crowder, Read, Bullard, Lake Forest, Morrison, Dwyer, Michoud, Carrollton, Canal, St. Charles, Galvez, Miro, Allen Toussaint, General DeGaulle and General Meyer and on a rotating basis, major side streets off Claiborne, Broad, Gentilly, Carrollton, St. Charles, General DeGaulle, General Meyer and Allen Toussaint.
  3. Walking beats, bicycle and mounted horses in the French Quarter and Canal St.(shopping area).
  4. Target hot spots in the city with community policing units to develop mutual relationships and trust with people to protect and solve crimes.
  5. Coordinate and work in tandem with Harbor, Levee, and the College/University police departments.


If we employ this strategy, it will send a message to the criminals, provide a strong presence on the streets and reduce the number of violent incidents. However, it can only work with the leadership and support to change the culture within the NOPD and develop an effective strategic plan to fight crime. I have stated before, how do you police a city of 345,000 plus tourists and visitors with 900 officers-leadership with effective management skills and thinking outside the box.


We do not have to live like this.


It can be done, it should be done and we can be a safe city.

ARTHUR HUNTER IN THE NEWS

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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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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"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.
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