Multiple news organizations, including Nola.com, Fox8, and Axios, have reported that NOPD paused or stopped using Project Nola. The Washington Post writes, “Kirkpatrick told Project NOLA that the automated alerts must be turned off until she is ‘sure that the use of the app meets all the requirements of the law and policies.’”
Given NOPD’s extensive secret use of Project Nola to spy on New Orleans, we cannot trust public statement alone. In fact, if we look closely at Kirkpatrick’s quote above, she told Project Nola to stop automated alerts. It is not an order to NOPD to stop using Project Nola or even to stop receiving Project Nola alerts. There is no contract or agreement between NOPD and Project Nola. The project has zero obligation to Kirkpatrick.
What was Supt. Kirkpatrick’s actual order to the NOPD regarding Project Nola? On May 21st, I asked NOPD. As of June 20th, 2025, the City of New Orleans responded that Anne Kirkpatrick has issued no orders regarding Project Nola.
