Justice Department vs. Katrina

Which federal agency do most people associate with Hurricane Katrina? You got it, FEMA. However, in the almost two and one-half years since the disaster, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been working without much fanfare to help restore the safety and security of the residents of New Orleans, left almost defenseless after the storm.

In August 2007, the DOJ opened the New Orleans Family Justice Center in a historic 19th century firehouse donated by the city of New Orleans. Since opening, the center has assisted 139 victims of domestic abuse. The DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women donated $3 million to help establish the center where crime victims can get a wide variety of protective and legal services free of charge.

The DOJ’s Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force has so far indicted 764 individuals accused of attempting to defraud hurricane victims.

In total, the DOJ has made more than $86 million in grants and other forms of assistance available to help protect the victims of Katrina and rebuild New Orleans’ criminal justice system.

Also See:
Department of Justice Efforts to Rebuild New Orleans (DOJ)