🌱Justice Center Approved For Rapid DNA Test + ShotSpotter Tech Debate

Morning, everybody! It's me, Shannon Denney, your host of the New Orleans Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening in town these days. In today's briefing, we'll cover these stories and more...

• Gunshot locater technology might be brought back to New Orleans
• The Orleans Parish Justice Center has been approved for rapid DNA testing
• Deadly shooting in Central City

But first, today's weather: Mostly cloudy; breezy, humid. High: 84 Low: 72.

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Here are the top stories in New Orleans today:

1. New Orleans City Council will be discussing bringing back the use of ShotSpotter technology which listens for sounds of gunfire across crime hotspots in the city and can pinpoint where the sound is coming from. This technology was removed previously after New Orleans had it installed it a decade ago, but it did not prove to decrease crime. The Council is debating bringing back the tech now because of the shortage in NOPD employment. (WWLTV.com)
2. The New Orleans Justice Center has been approved to have new rapid DNA testing technology at the facility. They have received a grant from the Louisiana State Police who watches over the practice and can get net results in as little as 90 minutes. Once an individual is in custody, the DNA data can be entered and compared to other samples in a crime database to see if there are any matches. (FOX 8 Local First)
3. A fatal shooting on Tuesday afternoon in Central City left one man dead. A 27-year-old man was on Washington Avenue around 3:15 p.m. when he sustained a gunshot wound to the head that lead him to pass away. The details of the crime are still being investigated. (WDSU)

Today in New Orleans:

• VCC Commission Meeting at the French Quarter Business Association (1:30 PM)
• Tulane University Baseball vs UNO (6:00 PM)
• The NOLA Project Presents White at the New Orleans Museum of Arts (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Artists in need of critical medical, mental health, or dental help might be eligible for a one-time grant of up to $5,000 for expenses. (New Orleans Film Festival via Facebook)
• A boil water advisory has been issued for Crown Point, Jean Lafitte, Lafitte and Barataria. (WWLTV.com)
• NOPD is currently searching for person of interest in a Central City homicide that happened on Feb. 13 and is looking for the public's help. (WDSU New Orleans)

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Featured events:

• ST. Tammany Home & Remodeling Show with Certified Louisiana Food Fest (March 4)
• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (March 23)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Shannon Denney

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New Orleans Patch newsletter? Contact me at neworleans@patch.com