What is up with the city of New Orleans?

NOLA guy

One of the other answers is correct and what you are describing had to be in the French Quarter (probably on Bourbon Street) during Carnival (Mardi Gras).

New Orleans is not different than other cities that host huge events and much goes on that isn't OK the rest of the year, Times Square in NYC on New Year's Eve is an example. It also would NOT be OK to flash, be drunk, etc. outside the FQ during Carnival.

Also realize that probably 100% of the people you saw doing what you describe are NOT from New Orleans - they may be from wherever YOU live.

To literally answer your question(s), first realize that New Orleans DOES have laws & rules, but some are different than in most of the USA. Our laws are based on French Civil Law rather than British Common Law, and a big difference is a far greater presumption of individual rights & responsibility for adults under Civil Law. We like it that way. It doesn't mean there are no laws or rules - they are just different, plus a bit more flexible and less oppressive.

There is an indecent exposure law, but it is not possible to write one that makes it illegal for women to be topless while legal for men to go without a shirt. Especially during Carnival, the police intervene when the activity (flashing) creates a "disturbing the peace" situation that could escalate into a larger problem.

There is an open container law, but it concerns the container and not the contents. Open metal & glass containers are prohibited but plastic & paper are OK. That means a >> can << of Coca-Cola is illegal while a >> plastic cup << of Everclear is OK.

There is no law that prohibits consumption of an alcoholic beverage on a public street or sidewalk in New Orleans. There is a law against public intoxication, and thousands of people are arrested every year for it. The essential element in the law is if the person is a danger to themselves or others. Nothing in your description indicates they were a danger to anyone.

Touching someone against their will is a Battery in Louisiana. What you described would be a Simple Battery under both the City and State Criminal Codes. HOWEVER, the victim has to make a complaint. Did they?

The simple possession of Marijuana is a misdemeanor in Louisiana. It is not actually decriminalized, but also isn't a focus of police activity.
Should the police have been doing "pot sweeps" through the crowds and arresting anyone with a funny-looking cigarette?

By underage drinking, do you mean people ages 18,19, & 20 consuming alcohol? If yes, it is illegal for bars to sell alcohol to anyone under age 21 but it is NOT automatically illegal for someone 18 to 20 to consume alcohol. Also, the drinking age in Louisiana was 18 until about 10 years ago when the federal government forced the state to change the law.

The New Orleans Police on average make about 1500 arrests during the 10 days of Carnival parades each year, and almost all of them are for Public Intoxication or Disturbing the Peace. One has to work really hard at being arrested during Carnival, and those 1500 or so people managed to cross the line.

hunny414

very rainy today :((, and did you visit during Mardi Gras, because that is when most of all that occurs, while it does happen almost daily in the French Quarter, Bourbon St. to be exact we do have laws, and in fact the police are normally pretty strict on those things if you not in the french quarter, but when your on Bourbon its would be pretty much impossible for them to stop every person and check I.D. and when they see people flashing in front of them they do pull then aside and let them know it is illegal, but with the rep. that we have most people think is okay and do it so it would be pointless to arrest every one for doing it. Most of the people doiong it is tourist anyway. Yes people do get away with it ALOt but if you dont like it then dont go down there and you wont have to see it, most people go down to that area to party and have fun, if your uncomfortable with that there are many other "family appropriate" places to visit here

Crazy Dave

Its New Orleans! If you could not live there then do not move there!

Kevin

Been there and saw those things too.

My own opinion is that there are two reasons.

1.) It is an impoverished area, and the underpaid police officers have a lot of serious crimes to deal with more important than public nuisances.

2.) New Orleans has a reputation as a party city, and a good chunk of their money comes from tourism. They don't want to rock the tourism boat by stopping the partying people come there to expect.

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