With New Orleans Mayor-elect Mitch Landrieu preparing to take office May 3, members of the Loyola community are active in the transition.

University President the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. is serving on the Health Care Task Force, and George Capowich, vice provost and associate professor of sociology; Ed Thornton, professor of sociology and criminal justice program coordinator and Mike Cowan, special assistant to the university president, are serving on the Criminal Justice Task Force. Cowan is on an additional committee that is searching for a new chief of police.

The Criminal Justice Task Force will work to improve criminal justice and public safety around the city as well as find solutions to enhance the institutional capacity of city government to develop criminal justice policies based on scientific data and evaluation/performance driven appraisals.

Thornton, who also serves as chairman of the Department of Criminal Justice and director of the Master of Criminal Justice program, said in an e-mail he, “would like to see the New Orleans Police Department develop a long range strategic plan.”

He said he wants to see the organization set clear goals and objectives that are based off of scientific evidence and input from community groups in the city.

Thornton said he wants to see the relationship between the community and the NOPD improve.

“I think that effective law enforcement in New Orleans must take into account the diversity of the makeup of the different communities in the city and incorporate the needs and interests of these different groups into the overall planning, operation and training of police officers,” he said.

“No urban police department can prevent and/or control crime on their own; community participation is critical and must be an integral part of any short or long range strategic plan devised for the operation of the NOPD.”

Wildes is serving on the Health Care Task Force as well as continuing to chair the Ethics Review Board for the city.

The Health Care Task Force will look at health care issues in the community from health care delivery facilities to preventative health.

Wildes is also on two other subcommittees. One will look at hospital and health facilities in eastern New Orleans. The other will examine the social factors and determinants of health and health care. These factors could include recreational facilities, neighborhood stores and food options throughout New Orleans.

“I would like to see the Task Force address the obvious issues (e.g., hospitals and acute care) but I also hope it will look at long term issues (promoting health, preventative care),” Wildes said in an e-mail. “I am very proud of the number of Loyola people involved in the transition. I think it reflects the university’s commitment to the city.”

Abbey Brandon can be reached at [email protected]