Yes. A CNN reporter at the convention center a little while ago said that multiple people came up to him and told him "how much worse it was at night." He said they told him that at least three people were murdered and there were several rapes. (He specifically mentioned this as fact, that not just one person had told him this, but many)

No he should not say that, because welll... they CAN do something about it. He should be honest with the public, and tell them how dire the situation is.

When the Mayor of New Orleans makes a statement a few moments after the press conference issuing, "a critical SOS..." we know that things are bad.