Notes from NONPAC 3.9.07

Notes from NONPAC

The crowd was so large at the Omni Royal Orleans that the meeting had to be moved from a smaller meeting room to the hotel's largest room to accommodate all those attending--showing how important the crime problem is to the residents of the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle.

Crime alerts: After numerous complaints from citizens at the meeting about the lack of information on recent crimes in the 8th District, Capt. Ed Hosli, commander of the district which polices the Quarter and Triangle, announced an email program will be set up in the next couple of weeks to alert residents to crimes in their neighborhoods. The information -- transmitted from this email address -- will include the type of crime, where it occurred, when, the MO ("modus operandi"=the way it occurred). "I want to avoid the rumor mill," said Hosli, who came from the Uptown's 2nd District, and was amazed at how fast information -- whether accurate or not -- travels through the Quarter. The email program received the enthusiastic approval of the captain's boss, Chief of Operations Tony Cannatella. The 8th District will be the only NOPD district doing this in the city.

Auto thefts: Hosli reported a rash of auto thefts in the district in the past month, but noted many of the cars had been towed not stolen. He is going to set up a log at the district headquarters to keep track of the time of the tow and the location of the towed vehicle so it can be checked before reporting the vehicle stolen.

More patrols: The Criminal Sheriff's Department will begin mounted horse patrols in the Lower Quarter beginning next week. Hosli also reported the motorscooters parked all around the district headquarters building will be mobilized for patrols as soon as his officers can be trained on them in the next month. Patrols will also be expanded to the Marigny Triangle.

Reporting crime: Hosli urged citizens to report crime to 911 as soon as it happens. And for suspicious situations -- "something doesn't look right" -- he urged contacting the district directly (658-6080 or him personally by email at EHosli@cityofno.com). "I firmly believe if we address he little things it'll take care of the big things," he said.

Councilman's comments: Councilman James Carter, of District C which includes the Quarter and Triangle, said the city will soon have a "crime tracking" program that will map crimes in real time to determine where they're happening and the patterns. He said the program will put the criminal justice system "under the magnifying glass to know who's not doing their job." He also heartily endorsed the "strong push to community policing and moving into the community" by getting officers out of their cars and on to the street.

The monthy NONPAC (New Orleans Neighborhood Policing Anti-Crime Council) meetings are held the SECOND Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Omni Royal Orleans hotel, 621 St. Louis St.

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As always, your comments and suggests are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

Thom Kahler