New Orleans becomes the murder capital

New Orleans overtakes St. Louis to become the MURDER CAPITAL of America: Homicide rate up 141% from 2019 and carjackings rise 210% - as city's police staffing drops to lowest level in modern history

• Analysis of 2022 homicide data ranks New Orleans as the US murder capital
• City recorded 41 homicides per 100,000 residents in the first half of the year
• It puts the Big Easy on pace to top last year's murder leader, St. Louis
• Crime has skyrocketed in NOLA as the city struggles to recruit cops
• Though police budget has increased, staffing is at lowest in modern history
• New Orleans has not been able to find recruits to replace officers leaving 
• Cops say a 2013 consent decree led to over-punishment for minor infractions

By KEITH GRIFFITH FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 17:27 EDT, 16 September 2022 | UPDATED: 19:14 EDT, 16 September 2022