New Orleans new murder capital with Baltimore, Chicago and New York City following

New Orleans has endured a 141% increase in homicides this year compared to its rate before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Sept. 11 data from Metropolitan Crime Commission.

The city, which is famous for its annual Mardi Gras celebrations has suffered from 205 murders this year, reassessing its murder rate at more than 52 homicides per 100,000 residents.

As a result, the Louisiana metropolis has replaced St. Louis as having the U.S. city with the highest rate. 

St. Louis Police Department data indicates that since last month it has experienced 133 homicides, setting the murder rate at nearly 45 homicides per 100,000 residents, about a fifth lower of the ratio now taking place in New Orleans.

Other high murder rate cities include Baltimore, Chicago and New York.

Baltimore's homicide rate is about 40 per 100,000, according to city data, and Chicago has seen about 17 homicides per 100,000 residents, according to HeyJackass.com, while New York City's rate is roughly 3.5.

To combat its escalating crime rates, New Orleans officials recently announced a plan to spend $80 million over the next three years to offer police officers pay raises, with new benefits such as free health care and $30,000 in bonuses for new recruits, The Associated Press reported.