Mayor’s Office launches Crescent City ID program to boost access to city services

By Ayiana Love
Contributing Writer

The City of New Orleans officially launched its new municipal identification program, the Crescent City ID, on Saturday, September 6, at the Tremei Recreation Center.

The Crescent City ID is an official, government-issued card that can be used for certain services, such as at hospitals, and when interacting with local government departments, including the NOPD and New Orleans Recreation Development Commission Rec Trac card. It also doubles as a New Orleans Public Library card.

Doors opened at 9 a.m. to long lines of citizens gathered with proof of residency in hand to receive their ID cards.

Marsha Mackie-Wright, a retired New Orleans resident, said she was ecstatic to get her card because of the benefits it offers. “On the website it said you can get discounts from different businesses,” Mackie-Wright said. “So I’m here to see what that’s about.”

Local businesses have partnered with the program to provide discounts to cardholders, and officials say they plan to expand the list of participating businesses.

“It enhances your access to city services,” Lahlida Lloyd, director of the Office of Human Rights & Equity, said. “It can be your all-in-one card.”

Shakira Cruz Gonzalez, equity program manager with the Office of Human Rights and Equity in the City of New Orleans, explained that the initiative began after Mayor LaToya Cantrell attended a conference where she learned about other municipal identification programs and wanted to bring the concept to New Orleans.

“The need of people not having access to an identification card, which is a safety issue,” Gonzalez said “We want people to feel included and understand they belong in the city no matter where they are from.”

The strong turnout at the launch reflected that need.

“When we think about the barriers to being able to get a job or apply to housing, you need an ID,” Gonzalez added. “To overcome those barriers, this is the solution to that.”

Through a partnership with the RTA’s Get on Board program, cardholders can access priority rates on ferries, streetcars and buses through the end of September. Officials are also working to make the Crescent City ID an official transit card for bus rides in the future.

The card is free of charge, but applicants must show proof of residency in New Orleans.

Saturday’s event saw an overwhelming turnout, with more people than organizers were able to process. Those unable to sign up that day will have additional opportunities, such as mobile pop-up events, which are scheduled across the city throughout September and beyond.

Information about upcoming events or scheduling an appointment at the Crescent City ID office can be found online at nola.gov/crescentcityid. Adult cards are valid for six years, children’s cards are valid for three years, with eligibility starting at age 10. Residents can also follow the program on Instagram at @crescentcity.id for updates on future events and locations, Lloyd said.

“When we think about everyone’s needs, this Crescent City ID represents that,”Lloyd explained “Thinking about how we can be inclusive for everyone, this card hits the nose on every part of that.”

This article originally published in the September 15, 2025 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.