To All: FYI, this past Thursday the New Orleans City Council voted to make drinking laws even more liberal. Previously, you could only drink in public if you were drinking from a plastic cup, hence all the plastic go cups at every bar and restaurant. Now however, the city council has voted to repel the law that prohibited cans and bottles in public. Our illustrious mayor, Marc Morial, has said he will sign the new law and Chief of Police Pennington said he has already notified the troops to stop enforcing the ban against bottles and cans. Why the change? A study showed that 80% of those arrested for having open containers (other than plastic) were African-Americans and that the law was being used as a tool for racial profiling. The incident which precipitated the change in the law was the killing by four policemen of a citizen who had been stopped for carrying a open can of beer. So, visitors to New Orleans, now not only can you drink in public, you can do it out of a cup, a can, a bottle, or any other kind of container your little ole heart desires. This is a great town, you just got to love it.

P.S. keep an eye out for the police though, they do like to pick people up and seeing as how the starting salary for Orleans Parish is $12,000 (THAT IS NOT A MISPRINT) you can only imagine the quality of applicant they get AND HIRE. For all the wonderful sights and sounds New Orleans has to offer, Orleans Parish Prison is the last place on earth you ever want to see.

Native, that's very interesting. Just another reason to avoid Bourbon Street, I guess. I really do love New Orleans - it's one of my very favorite cities, and I have family just outside the city, so I have visited there a fair number of times. But I wonder, once you're past college age, what's so great about drinking yourself silly from a plastic cup (or can or bottle) while walking down the street? What would the police pick you up for that you would be fined $12,000, now that you can drink from bottles and cans?

Sorry, Native, disregard my previous question. I need to improve my reading skills. The $12,000 is starting salary for a NO policeman I see - and yes, I see your point about the calibre of recruit at that range. Why did I read that as a $12,000 fine? I've been trying out New Zealand wine, and it must have gone to my head already. Anyway, what happened that four cops killed a guy for carrying an open can of beer? Did he pull a gun or something?

I can not believe, well - I can believe Marc Morial would do such a thing, but I hate to see it. There is broken glass all over the French Quarter now. It's a shame that people being arrested for breaking a law have to turn it into something racial. It's not a difficult thing to pour a bottled beverage into a cup.

I also find it interesting that during the currently on-going Essence Festival, the mayor has requested that the city not tow people illegally parked.

It's definitely time for a new mayor.

What's wrong with having a beer if you're thirsty while walking down the street? I've never understood those strong restrictions on alcoholic drinks in the US. Definitely, America and Europe are different.

But Americans and Europeans "handle their liquor" differently.
You don't see the French and Italians engaging in the kind of ridiculous behavior Americans tend to exhibit around 'bar scenes' like Bourbon Street.

And what a stupid reason to change the law, as stated above.

Native, I believe your info is outdated regarding NOPD salaries. Several years ago the starting figure was bumped up and now officers make $30,000 or so after 12 months and $22,000 to start. Still not a great salary but a heck of a lot more than $12,000! More info: http://www.nopdonline.com/rec1.htm

Thanks John for the real figures. I thought that the police of New Orleans would be paid at least double what Native quoted. Stay on Fodors forum, we enjoy you information and it is very helpful on our visits. You must have been on vacation for a week or two?

Pete, thanks for the nice comments. Yes, I just returned yesterday from Alaska and am sorting through hundreds of e-mails, a stack of snail mail, etc. I'll post a trip report when I get the chance to compose a nice, concise one!

For what it's worth, you can be responsible OR irresponsible whether you have a bottle, can, plastic cup, etc. It's the bad behavior that should get you thrown in the slammer, not the fact that your beer is in a bottle! (Just be sure to throw bottles, cups etc in trash cans and not on the streets, folks!)