New Orleans has become the first known U.S. city to feature a live facial recognition network operated by a private non-profit organization, Project NOLA. The system's operation has initiated public and official discussions concerning its regulatory oversight, legal compliance, and implications for privacy, particularly following a pause in real-time alert cooperation with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).
Establishment and Operation of Project NOLA's System
Project NOLA was founded in 2009 by Bryan Lagarde, a former police officer. Lagarde stated the organization was established to address a perceived need for enhanced camera surveillance in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, during a period of police understaffing.
The organization functions as a central hub for video feeds collected from over 5,000 cameras installed on private properties. Individuals and businesses, referred to as "volunteers," contribute to the network by paying annual connection fees. In 2022, Project NOLA integrated live facial recognition capabilities into its system, with approximately 200 of its advanced cameras now equipped with this feature.
The system continuously scans faces of individuals in public areas, including the French Quarter. These faces are then compared against Project NOLA's "hot lists," which contain approximately 250 names. These lists are reported to include individuals wanted by federal, state, or local agencies, as well as those identified by Project NOLA as suspected of involvement in felony-level criminal activity, such as individuals seen with weapons or engaging in gang activities. Upon a match, an automated alert is generated, and information is subsequently shared with law enforcement based on defined thresholds of evidence or specific criteria related to the severity and frequency of observed activities.
Regulatory and Legal Scrutiny
The operation of Project NOLA's live facial recognition system gained broader public attention following a report by The Washington Post in May. The ACLU of Louisiana subsequently stated that the system, particularly its real-time operation by a third-party entity, violated a local NOPD ordinance. This ordinance permitted the use of facial recognition technology but not live facial recognition from external providers.
In April, prior to the media report, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick paused the department's cooperation with Project NOLA regarding real-time alerts, citing potential violations of city ordinances. Superintendent Kirkpatrick affirmed that real-time alerts would not be permitted until legal compliance was confirmed. While acknowledging the potential value of live facial recognition as a policing tool and stating that the NOPD was "not at war with Project NOLA," she also emphasized that privacy concerns cannot be effectively controlled through private enterprises.
Federal law, specifically the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Jones, generally requires police to obtain probable cause and a warrant for continuous technological tracking of individuals. Ryan Calo, a law professor at the University of Washington, has suggested that surveillance conducted by non-official actors could potentially circumvent these existing legal protections.
Project NOLA's Stated Safeguards and Continued Operations
Bryan Lagarde of Project NOLA stated that the organization has implemented privacy safeguards. These measures include requiring a case number from law enforcement for facial recognition requests to verify a legitimate investigation. Project NOLA also plans to launch a website to disclose the number of facial recognition requests received and the requesting agencies. Lagarde has asserted that his system offers greater accountability compared to a government-run system, as its cameras are privately owned and "volunteers" can discontinue their participation.
Despite the NOPD's pause on direct real-time alerts, Project NOLA continues to conduct searches for federal and state police agencies. The organization also provides "unsolicited" tips to the NOPD based on its tracking of individuals of interest to the department.
Official and Public Reactions
Following the Washington Post report, a city council member proposed legislation aimed at formalizing police cooperation with third-party facial recognition providers and establishing specific rules and reporting requirements for the technology. This ordinance, however, did not advance.
Discussions have also taken place regarding the authorization for the city to establish its own live facial recognition system, a proposal NOPD Superintendent Kirkpatrick supports. However, this idea has reportedly stalled due to concerns about potential loss of control to state or federal agencies, particularly in the context of increased federal immigration enforcement in southern Louisiana. The ACLU of Louisiana has suggested that, in the absence of clearer prohibitions on police use of the non-profit's system, a private operational model has effectively become the default.
Public opinion in New Orleans has shown varied viewpoints. Some residents and visitors expressed concerns about the "Big Brother" aspect of such surveillance and questioned who controls the monitored lists, with some advocating for city-controlled oversight for accountability. Conversely, local business owners, such as Tim Blake of the Three Legged Dog bar, who hosts a Project NOLA camera, expressed support for the system. Blake cited increased feelings of safety for himself and his staff, and advocated for broader access to such technology to enhance public safety. His establishment also houses an internal thermal vision camera from Project NOLA designed to detect hidden weapons.