According to an article in the NY Sun today, NOLA's crime rate is ten times the national average.
http://www.governmentguide.com/community_and_home/morganmostdangerouscities.adp
Top 25 Most Dangerous Cities 2004
1 Camden, NJ
2 Detroit, MI
3 Atlanta, GA
4 St. Louis, MO
5 Gary, IN
6 Washington, DC
7 Hartford, CT
8 New Orleans, LA
9 Richmond, VA
10 Birmingham, AL
11 Baltimore, MD