Opposition Statement re: FQMHAMD Security District Tax Proposal

[lunanola]

Two new documents have been uploaded to the Lower Quarter Citizens
Against Crime Google Group page:

* A six-page Opposition Statement regarding the FQMHAMD Security
District Tax Proposal dated 8-5-2010: http://bit.ly/cq4CBe

* The FQMHAMD Draft Plan dated 4/7/2010: http://bit.ly/cSNWJs

OPPOSITION STATEMENT RE: PROPOSED FRENCH QUARTER SECURITY DISTRICT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

While I support the development and implementation of an effective
security district for the French Quarter, I oppose the French Quarter/
Marigny Historic Area Management District's proposed security district
tax measure that will be on the put to vote on 10/2/2010 for the
following reasons:

The proposed security district tax is levied from the wrong revenue
stream, is excessively costly for the nominal benefit to be realized,
is not robust enough in its security-specific focus to be significant,
and will be administered by an organization with an overwhelming
business- and tourism-related agenda lacking a proven track record
with regard to efficacy.

If approved, the security district tax would be non-revocable (it
would remain in effect until the district’s term expiration in 2014)
and cost a projected minimum of $2.93 million in levied property
taxes. As stated publicly by the Vice Chair of FQMHAMD on 7/12/2010:
"It's a three-year experiment funded with tax dollars."

If approved, the "In-House Costs" represent a staggering 30.11%
annually of the proposed budget (averaged over the three-year
lifespan). Excluding the reasonable sum of $7,000 budgeted annually
for required insurance coverage, an average of $281,172 will be spent
annually for purposes not directly related to providing security
enhancements. Is the establishment of this FQMHAMD Administrative base
superfluous? One wonders if the underlying purpose of this measure is
to further the preservation and continuity of the FQMHAMD organization
beyond the term expiration of the tax district in 2014.

Do the math: On any given day at any hour, an average of only THREE
security personnel will be providing services in the French Quarter.
This proposal would fund 63 patrolling shifts per week, divided by 7
days = 9 individuals providing services per day, divided by 3 shifts =
3 individuals providing services per eight-hour shift.

If the French Quarter is to be divided into “quadrants” for the
purpose of assigning patrolling areas, how will an average of three
security personnel be able to provide reliable and consistent coverage
for all four quadrants simultaneously? The only way that this could be
improved significantly is if coverage is weighted in favor of certain
peak times and not provided uniformly (as suggested by FQMHAMD Board
members at the 7/12/2010 Upper Quarter Neighborhood Watch meeting).

Security patrols can be redistributed at the direction of the FQMHAMD
Board of Commissioners for “special events”; there is no guarantee of
reliable and consistent patrolling coverage.

How will improved public safety be realized if the average number of
three patrolling security personnel are simultaneously tasked with a
significant number of ordinance enforcement/nuisance abatement
responsibilities including discouraging aggressive panhandling,
confronting public urination, graffiti prevention, dealing with
blocked driveways/calling for cars to be towed, addressing disruptive/
loud music complaints, providing lockout services to residents/
businesses/vehicles, and providing directions or general information
upon request? The proposed plan promises too much with too few
security officers available to consistently and reliably deliver all
of the promised benefits.

Will the FQMHAMD Commissioners adequately and effectively represent
the residential concerns of the security district? The overwhelming
majority of FQMHAMD Board members
Opposition Statement: French Quarter/Marigny Historic Area Management
District represent business-focused organizations or were installed
via appointments made by public officials no longer holding office
(former Mayor C. Ray Nagin and former District "C" Councilmember James
Carter). Eight of the thirteen Commissioners serving on this board
will not be taxed as residents of the affected district. The only
FQMHAMD budget available for public review reveals that 75% of their
2008 budget funded projects on behalf of the Downtown Development
District (outside of the district's established boundaries). State law
requires an affirmative vote of only eight FQMHAMD Board members for
policy, financial, and personnel consensus-required decisions; ten of
its Commissioners have significant business interests.

Finally, the general public has no voice or role with regard to who
serves as a Board member for FQMHAMD. As of the date of the writing of
this statement, VCPORA is deferring its support or opposition to this
proposal in favor of “further study,” and French Quarter Citizens,
Inc. is supportive of this measure independent from any polling or
vote by its general membership. While presentations by FQMHAMD members
have been made to some community groups, there has yet to be a
general, well-advertised, open-to-the-general public meeting regarding
the proposed French Quarter Security District as a ballot measure
being put to vote on 10/2/2010.

All that is required for this proposed measure to pass is one single
vote in favor over the number of votes against (a simple majority).
One vote. Anyone who is registered to vote in area covered by the
district’s boundaries is eligible to vote on this ballot measure --
not just property owners. If you are a registered voter and oppose
this proposal, vote "NO" on this ballot measure on Saturday,
10/2/2010.

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