I’ve been getting comments and emails about how dangerous New Orleans is or feels and to be really careful.

My guide today brought up this issue and said that New Orleans’ recovering tourism industry can’t afford to take tourist security lightly. If you’re not feeling safe, then you’re in an area where you shouldn’t be, or you had too much to drink at a pub on Bourbon Street and wandered into the wrong alley. Plainclothes police abound. The usual precautions for tourist areas (watch your belongings) are in order, of course, but you’re not going to get mugged wandering around Decatur Street at any time.

I’m going to be exploring the French Quarter exclusively on foot, so I’m not concerned about my safety. I’ll just be keeping a tight hand on my valuables, the way I would anywhere else.

I can’t wait to start exploring!