New Orleans security districts

New Orleans security districts are zones in the New Orleans metropolitan area that employ private security companies to supplement the work of the New Orleans Police Department in providing for public safety. The oldest of at least fifteen existing security districts is the Lake Forest Estates Improvement District, founded in 1998. Security districts have been established through ballot initiatives and are funded by increases to property taxes within the security districts. Such taxes range from $100 to $440 annually for residential property, with higher rates for businesses in some security districts.