The next time you’re in a wreck in New Orleans, a private company is more than likely to respond, with agents who have no arresting powers.And while they get to the scene much more quickly than police officers, some say the rapid response could lead to bigger problems down the road.A fender bender on Elysian Fields in Gentilly, and within minutes of the 911 call, an SUV labeled “OSS’ pulls up to the scene.Not police … but a private agent working for a private company called On Scene Services.And people in New Orleans should get used to this because it’s becoming the norm.With record lows in NOPD staffing, the department made the decision in 2023 to outsource traffic accidents to On Scene.In the first three months of 2025, OSS has handled over 3300 wrecks.Charging the city $190 per accident worked. On Scene Services has banked more than $627,000 this year alone.The company’s founder and owner says the service is rock solid with response times under 15 minutes.”This is a first-of-its-kind program in the country,” said Ethan Cheramie, On Scene founder. “We’ve been very successful with it – can it be improved – Sure, and we are always looking at corners where we can tighten up efficiency, accountability and service.”Because some say the service is lacking.Britt Benoit’s fender-bender in Mid-City was handled by OSS.”I call 911, and On Scene Services shows up and I’m not even aware of who they are, they didn’t explain who they were,” said Benoit.The wreck, a he said-he said, where both drivers claim the other is at fault.And Benoit says he’s dealing with the fallout.”I’m not really sure if insurance is hinging on these reports and that makes me worry – is an OSS report really that useful at all?” said Benoit.Lawyer Megan Kiefer, who handles traffic wreck cases, has the same concerns with the privatization of police work.”Now, you have a dispatcher that sends out a private company that has no authority to act, they are essentially a glorified documentarian when they respond to the scene of the accident,” said Kiefer.”Is that an insult? How do you take a comment like that – someone saying you all are nothing more than documentarians?” Asked WDSU’s Travers Mackel.”No, no – that’s the essence of what we do. We document … we are the neutral third party to document and service the public, we are there to help you if you’re in a wreck … get in and get out and go on with your life,” said Cheramie.OSS agents cannot arrest you.They can’t detain you.They can’t even force you to stay at the scene.They have no police powers – zeroBut, Cheramie says, under his contract with the NOPD, all reports issued will hold up in court and with insurance companies.OSS agents do issue real NOPD item numbers at scenes and they’re starting to wear body cameras.”Do you all give the body cam video to people involved in the crash?” Asked Mackel. “It’s our intent to do that,” said Cheramie.The NOPD told WDSU Investigates that On Scene handled about 10-thousand calls for service in 2023 and 2024. The NOPD says 3,676 cases in 2023 and 6,989 in 2024.And so far in the first 100 days of 2025, they’ve handled more than half of the traffic accidents in the city – over 3300.On Scene’s contract was for two years and capped at $3 million.So far, they’ve billed the city for over $2.6 million and are currently working on a 6-month extension while the NOPD locates more funding, as On Scene is set to exceed the $3-million cap by summer.Sources tell WDSU Investigates that the federal monitors and judge overseeing the federal consent decree like the program and the quick response times.But there are still questions.”The bigger problem, like I’ve always said – is what happens when you get to the scene of the accident and it’s not really a minor thing, and where something really does call for police work when a person presents a danger to the community,” said Kiefer.On Scene says their policy is to immediately radio NOPD for backup.That includes if they suspect a driver is drunk or impaired in any way.”I’d say – I don’t have a number on hand for you on how often NOPD is called for back up on calls, but it does happen, I’d say multiple times a week,” said Cheramie.But Benoit says that’s not what happened in his case.”There was also another thing on my accident report where he put me and the other driver were suspected of alcohol use and I’m pretty sure it was a mistake, but this is pretty serious stuff, you need to make sure you get everything right,” said Benoit.”And you said they corrected that for you, right?” Asked Mackel.”They told me they corrected it but I haven’t received another report so I don’t know what’s been done,” said Benoit.Which leaves a bad taste in his mouth.On Scene services…you’re starting to see them everywhere.A private company handling traffic accidents on public streets in New Orleans.”Are you hoping the city continues this?” Asked Mackel. “Sure, this program works and it works well,” said Cheramie.OSS tells us all that agents hired are former law enforcement with some type of police training.As for Benoit’s claim that an OSS agent claimed he was impaired.They said that it’s a paperwork error and has been corrected.The city and NOPD now need to decide on if they extend OSS past the 6-month current extension and for how much.OSS also has a contract do to traffic work in Baltimore, Maryland and is in talks with other cities as well to provide similar services.
The next time you’re in a wreck in New Orleans, a private company is more than likely to respond, with agents who have no arresting powers.
And while they get to the scene much more quickly than police officers, some say the rapid response could lead to bigger problems down the road.
A fender bender on Elysian Fields in Gentilly, and within minutes of the 911 call, an SUV labeled “OSS’ pulls up to the scene.
Not police … but a private agent working for a private company called On Scene Services.
And people in New Orleans should get used to this because it’s becoming the norm.
With record lows in NOPD staffing, the department made the decision in 2023 to outsource traffic accidents to On Scene.
In the first three months of 2025, OSS has handled over 3300 wrecks.
Charging the city $190 per accident worked. On Scene Services has banked more than $627,000 this year alone.
The company’s founder and owner says the service is rock solid with response times under 15 minutes.
“This is a first-of-its-kind program in the country,” said Ethan Cheramie, On Scene founder. “We’ve been very successful with it – can it be improved – Sure, and we are always looking at corners where we can tighten up efficiency, accountability and service.”
Because some say the service is lacking.
Britt Benoit’s fender-bender in Mid-City was handled by OSS.
“I call 911, and On Scene Services shows up and I’m not even aware of who they are, they didn’t explain who they were,” said Benoit.
The wreck, a he said-he said, where both drivers claim the other is at fault.
And Benoit says he’s dealing with the fallout.
“I’m not really sure if insurance is hinging on these reports and that makes me worry – is an OSS report really that useful at all?” said Benoit.
Lawyer Megan Kiefer, who handles traffic wreck cases, has the same concerns with the privatization of police work.
“Now, you have a dispatcher that sends out a private company that has no authority to act, they are essentially a glorified documentarian when they respond to the scene of the accident,” said Kiefer.
“Is that an insult? How do you take a comment like that – someone saying you all are nothing more than documentarians?” Asked WDSU’s Travers Mackel.
“No, no – that’s the essence of what we do. We document … we are the neutral third party to document and service the public, we are there to help you if you’re in a wreck … get in and get out and go on with your life,” said Cheramie.
OSS agents cannot arrest you.
They can’t detain you.
They can’t even force you to stay at the scene.
They have no police powers – zero
But, Cheramie says, under his contract with the NOPD, all reports issued will hold up in court and with insurance companies.
OSS agents do issue real NOPD item numbers at scenes and they’re starting to wear body cameras.
“Do you all give the body cam video to people involved in the crash?” Asked Mackel. “It’s our intent to do that,” said Cheramie.
The NOPD told WDSU Investigates that On Scene handled about 10-thousand calls for service in 2023 and 2024.
The NOPD says 3,676 cases in 2023 and 6,989 in 2024.
And so far in the first 100 days of 2025, they’ve handled more than half of the traffic accidents in the city – over 3300.
On Scene’s contract was for two years and capped at $3 million.
So far, they’ve billed the city for over $2.6 million and are currently working on a 6-month extension while the NOPD locates more funding, as On Scene is set to exceed the $3-million cap by summer.
Sources tell WDSU Investigates that the federal monitors and judge overseeing the federal consent decree like the program and the quick response times.
But there are still questions.
“The bigger problem, like I’ve always said – is what happens when you get to the scene of the accident and it’s not really a minor thing, and where something really does call for police work when a person presents a danger to the community,” said Kiefer.
On Scene says their policy is to immediately radio NOPD for backup.
That includes if they suspect a driver is drunk or impaired in any way.
“I’d say – I don’t have a number on hand for you on how often NOPD is called for back up on calls, but it does happen, I’d say multiple times a week,” said Cheramie.
But Benoit says that’s not what happened in his case.
“There was also another thing on my accident report where he put me and the other driver were suspected of alcohol use and I’m pretty sure it was a mistake, but this is pretty serious stuff, you need to make sure you get everything right,” said Benoit.
“And you said they corrected that for you, right?” Asked Mackel.
“They told me they corrected it but I haven’t received another report so I don’t know what’s been done,” said Benoit.
Which leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
On Scene services…you’re starting to see them everywhere.
A private company handling traffic accidents on public streets in New Orleans.
“Are you hoping the city continues this?” Asked Mackel. “Sure, this program works and it works well,” said Cheramie.
OSS tells us all that agents hired are former law enforcement with some type of police training.
As for Benoit’s claim that an OSS agent claimed he was impaired.
They said that it’s a paperwork error and has been corrected.
The city and NOPD now need to decide on if they extend OSS past the 6-month current extension and for how much.
OSS also has a contract do to traffic work in Baltimore, Maryland and is in talks with other cities as well to provide similar services.
Clinton Mora is a reporter for Trending Insurance News. He has previously worked for the Forbes. As a contributor to Trending Insurance News, Clinton covers emerging a wide range of property and casualty insurance related stories.