The New Orleans Police Department has released preliminary crime statistics for the week of July 13-19, highlighting a noticeable reduction in firearms seizures and gun-related arrests compared to the previous year. Within this period, the NOPD reported making 162 arrests for illegal possession of a firearm, marking a significant 49-percent decrease from the 319 arrests recorded during the same timeframe in 2024. The detailed statistics were made available on the NOPD News website today.
On the enforcement front, the NOPD made a high-profile arrest in collaboration with U.S. Marshals. Joshua Stewart, identified as a black male born on October 11, 1986, was taken into custody on July 16 concerning a homicide that took place on July 9, in the 800 block of Trapier Street. According to the report, Stewart has been booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on a count of second-degree murder. This arrest is a stark reminder that despite the overall decrease in gun arrests, violence still persists in pockets of the community.
Equally pertinent is the NOPD's efforts in gun seizures which also showcase a downward trajectory. As of July 14, the department had confiscated 1,033 firearms as part of criminal investigations in 2025. This figure represents a 25-percent decrease when compared to the 1,376 firearms seized by this time in 2024. A statement from the NOPD News suggests that while the reasons behind the dip remain to be fully understood, the statistics could indicate shifts in policing tactics or community engagement initiatives.
