Our Projects

The Perdido Institute runs five programs. Each starts with public records and ends with a published finding, a formal complaint, or a resident who got an answer from a city agency.

Surveillance Accountability

We document the cameras, facial recognition systems, license plate readers, and drones operating in New Orleans, and whether their use complies with city law. This includes our investigation of NOPD’s relationship with Project NOLA and RETINA, our public map of surveillance devices.

Learn more about surveillance accountability

Police Accountability

When records show an officer violating the law or NOPD policy, we file a complaint with the Public Integrity Bureau, the Independent Police Monitor, and the Office of Inspector General, publish it, and track what happens. We help residents file their own.

Learn more about police accountability

Public Records Assistance

We file Louisiana Public Records Act requests, publish the responses, and help residents, journalists, and researchers draft, file, and appeal their own.

Learn more about public records assistance

City Agency Assistance

311 tickets, blight complaints, Sewerage and Water Board bills, permits. We help residents get a response from city agencies and escalate when they do not.

Learn more about city agency assistance

Evidence-Based Government

We test the claims behind city public safety and technology spending against the data, and publish plain-language analysis for residents and policymakers.

Learn more about evidence-based government

Want to help with any of this work, or need help yourself? Get in touch.