In an unexpected twist, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is grappling with a peculiar issue: rats consuming confiscated marijuana within their headquarters.
NOPD chief Anne Kirkpatrick revealed the bizarre predicament during a recent city council meeting, shedding light on the longstanding infestation of rats and cockroaches plaguing the department's headquarters, which was originally constructed in 1968.
According to local media reports, Kirkpatrick expressed concerns about the unhygienic conditions within the building, stating that the vermin have been feasting on confiscated marijuana, resulting in them becoming "high."
"The rats are eating our marijuana. They're all high," Kirkpatrick remarked, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The dilapidated state of the headquarters is not an isolated issue, with Kirkpatrick noting that similar cleanliness issues persist across all NOPD districts. Despite the efforts of janitorial staff, the uncleanliness remains a persistent challenge.
The NOPD's struggles with its headquarters reflect broader concerns about the city's infrastructure, with some attributing the deteriorating conditions to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated New Orleans.
As the city grapples with this unusual problem, officers lament the dire state of their workplace, emphasizing the urgent need for a new headquarters. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant culture and historic significance.