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NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Thursday, April 16, 2026, the French Quarter Economic Development District (FQEDD) met to hear a presentation on Quarterly Budget Expenditure reports of the FQEDD Trust Fund. The FQEDD also received a presentation from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) regarding the 8th District Drone program. Following the presentation, the FQEDD voted on a motion to approve an amendment to the 2026 FQEDD operating budget to appropriate funds for the NOPD 8th District Drone Program within the FQEDD boundaries.
 NOPD 8th District Drone Program
The FQEDD received a presentation from NOPD representatives requesting that the FQEDD approve a $250,000 budget amendment to upgrade NOPD’s existing French Quarter drone program.
The upgrade would allow drones to be launched remotely from docking stations, improving response times to under two minutes. Deployment is expected roughly six months after approval. This is a technological enhancement that expands on the drone initiative approved in 2022, rather than a new program.
The presentation addressed public safety benefits in the French Quarter’s dense and high-traffic environment, highlighting faster response times, real-time aerial visibility, and increased efficiency as a “force multiplier” without adding personnel. It also addressed public concerns raised in meetings, noting that drones are limited to specific public safety missions, do not use facial recognition, require command-level approval for deployment, and are subject to public records and flight logging requirements.
Financially, the amendment would increase the total 2026 FQEDD budget from about $4,193,210 to $4,443,210.29, representing a targeted increase to enhance public safety capabilities.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Following the presentation, the FQEDD voted on Motion M-2026-01. This motion approves the $250,000 amendment to the FQEDD 2026 operating budget to fund the New Orleans Police Department’s 8th District drone program within the French Quarter. The action follows an existing Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City, French Quarter Management District (FQMD), and FQEDD, and a prior approval by the FQMD Board of Commissioners. The FQEDD voted to adopt M-2026-01, though the vote was not unanimous.
 FQEDD Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports
Michelle Courseault, Executive Director of the FQMD, spoke before the FQEDD to provide updates on the FQEDD's Quarterly Budget and Expenditure reports.
To begin, Courseault outlined the FQEDD’s role in funding public safety initiatives, including homeless assistance, supplemental POST-certified police patrols, and program oversight under a cooperative endeavor agreement. Financially, the district has collected about $1,178,853 in remittances so far, which makes up 28% of its annual budget. The FQEDD has spent roughly $204,888, which makes up 5% of its annual budget.
Overall, the report highlighted stable financial health, active police presence, and enhanced public safety and outreach efforts in the French Quarter.
To view the full presentation, click here.
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