Is it safe to walk around the Lower 9th Ward right now?

[MetroBTR]

I wouldn't worry too much about taking pictures in Arabi or Chalmette. Some people there might not appreciate it but from my experience with people in St. Bernard, I would be in shock if somebody caused real trouble for you like they might in the lower 9th.

[edesign]

Never bring a stun gun to a gun fight You're rarely dealing with just one person...and start trouble with one or two and next thing you know there's many more you have to deal with. And it's not necessarily a race thing, people can be quite protective of their neighborhood and the people they live with.

I can't wait until we get time travel perfected and cheap enough for the masses. I am positive that adventures to great disasters throughout history will be some of the most popular "destinations". I can understand why though...

[Puddy4LyF]

To the OP,

I'm an urban photographer and I've been to New Orleans before and after Katrina to photograph. I am going to risk irritating the previous posters, but most of the posts were overly dramatic. If all you're going to do is go take photographs, simply have a car and don't venture too far from it. The 9th Ward as a whole isn't something you would be walking through anyway and you can get far more photographs and feeling by having a car and driving to locations you see as being SAFE and to your liking. As someone else mentioned, you should be very respectful and understand what happened there -- go as a journalist -- allowing your photographs to tell it's sad story -- don't go simply to have ''cool'' photos to add to your facebook for your friends to see -- that would be extremely weak and disrespectful to those who endured Katrina and its aftermath.

But as for safety, as long as you have a car and you're not a complete moron, you're going to be JUST FINE. There are some streets that look entirely uninviting. If you see one, don't drive down it. On the other hand, if you're in an area that appears pretty safe, drive down it and roll your window down for some photographs. If anything about the situation changes, simply put the camera down and get the hell out. For myself, everything about my day was completely safe. It is a day-time thing, though, there really isn't a whole lot to set up for at night, and it's not worth it. Save the tripod and night-shots for downtown/FQ.

Good luck.

[MetroBTR]

Well, since the question all of the above were answering was "is it safe to walk around the Lower 9th" I don't think anybody will take offense. I assumed he wanted to park his car someplace and just galavant around the ruins for a few hours.

[Robin504]

Originally Posted by AllTheWayToMemphis

I'll be visiting NOLA in June; if I wanted to walk around the Lower 9th Ward and take some pictures, would it be safe during the day?

I go back home as frequently as possible, and navigate with a fearless knowledge of my City.... but for a new comer, I'd suggest going to the Lower 9 [Upper Ninth as well] with someone who is familiar with the area. I'd also suggest going during the daylight hours -- you'll obviously get better photos, and there are more visible signs of life. The signs are now back up, so at least you'll be able to know where you are, logistically.

Just as with anything and any other place with which one is unfamiliar, use common sense, keep your eyes open and walk around as if you are familiar with your environment.

~Robin504~

[Robin504]

The positive view is simply that despite those people who engage in nefarious behavior, the majority of Ninth Ward residents [yes, mostly African Americans] are still those hard-working, friendly, home-owning, helpful and law abiding citizens. I ought to know

I spent a large part of my youth there, and just visited there back in February. As with most places that are compromised by poverty and neglect, vigilance is the key; I still navigated around during the day hours, and that was basically because the lighting on many streets tends to be compromised.
You will find most of the residents extremely helpful and good hearted.

~Robin504~