While addressing the New Orleans city council committee members in a plea for a new facility, Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the wretched building conditions and reminded members of a recent tour of the evidence room.
“You know I stopped you and I said council member come back I want you to see the tray of all of the major rodents, and the floor the cockroaches, the rats eating our marijuana, they’re all high,” said Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick stressed the need to move to another building and their proposal to lease two floors of the DXC building on Poydras Street. She said the move would allow them to house dozens of administrators who are exposed to the current deplorable conditions at current headquarters.
And it’s not just high rats and roaches in the evidence room, she said the uncleanliness throughout the buildings is off the charts and presents a myriad of health issues for employees.
“Such as mold, heavy mold in these buildings. Rodent infestation. People shouldn’t have to come to their offices and see rodent drippings on their desks,” said Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick also described the inoperable elevators, air conditioning, and plumbing in the current 60-year-old headquarters.
“These are basics, and when we say we value our employees, you can’t say that and at the same time allow people to work in conditions that are not acceptable,” said Kirkpatrick.
A 10-year lease for the other proposed building would cost $7.6 million.
