New Orleans ? Nine people have been slain in New Orleans in the first eight days of the new year, deepening the sense of despair over the slow pace of the city’s recovery and leaving police and civic leaders grasping for ways to stop the bloodshed.

The police superintendent is talking of a possible curfew and lamenting his understaffed force. Tourism officials are rushing to reassure visitors with the Mardi Gras season approaching.

While police say most of the recent slayings have involved drugs in neighborhoods accustomed to violence, some took place in quieter areas.

On Monday, Police Superintendent Warren Riley said he has not asked for more troops, and was instead considering ways to stretch his hurricane-depleted force. Those could include increasing foot patrols, reassigning officers to front-line duty and imposing a citywide curfew, he said.

The police force is down from its pre-Katrina level of 1,700 officers to about 1,400. But that number includes about 100 officers on leave for injuries or illness.