Crime update 8.10.07

Night out FOR crime...

Some just haven't gotten the message: It had been a relatively quiet week crime-wise, ever since Lt. Eddie Selby deployed his mega-force of cops in the Lower French Quarter and Marigny Triangle 10 days ago. But 2 nights after local residents held Night Out Against Crime events, a car-full of punks tried to make it a night out FOR crime last night by staging 3 robberies in the span of 90 minutes. When it was all over, 8th District cops swooped down on the car carrying the gang of 6 in the 1000 block of Chartres Street--just 2 blocks from where an officer in the taskforce shot another suspect exactly one week ago. Maybe these guys--and gals--haven't heard the Lower Quarter and Triangle are no places to go if you've got dastardly deeds in mind.

Here's what happened where:

• 600 block of Burgundy Street (between Toulouse and St. Peter streets), 10:35 p.m. Thursday: A 48-year-old white man who lives in the 900 block of Conti Street was walking toward Esplanade Avenue on Burgundy when he saw a black man walking toward him. He tried to avoid him, but the man jumped in his path again and mumblede something, which turned out to be "Give me your money" when the victim looked down and saw the semi-automatic handgun the perpetrator was holding. The victim, who had just come from the NONPAC police meeting about 4 hours earlier, said he "immediately forgot everything Capt. Hosli has told us about remembering a perp's appearance. All I could see was the gun. I gave him my cash ($28) and we each fled in opposite directions, he towards Esplanade and me back towards Conti."

• Dauphine and Kerelec streets, 11:15 p.m. Thursday: A 27-year-old white man who lives in the 1900 block of Dauphine was walking to the Esplanade Mini-Market at the corner when he noticed 2 black men, one of whom crossed the street and acted as a lookout while the other pulled a handgun and demanded the victim's money.

• Dauphine and St. Philip streets, 12:10 a.m. Friday: A white man who lives in the 500 block of Dumaine Street (who turned 22 today) was walking on Dauphine toward Esplanade Avenue when he noticed a car-full of black people parked just off St. Philip. Just as he past the street, a black man came up from behind and asked him if he knew where "Quincy Street" is. When the victim turned around, the man brandished a black semi-automatic pistol and asked for the victim's cellphone and a red bag he was carrying.

The robber fled down St. Philip toward the river and the victim walked back toward Dumaine where he saw a cop car parked in the 1100 block of Dauphine. As the officer came around and down St. Philip, he spotted a man fitting the perpetrator's description getting in the car the victim had earlier seen on St. Philip. The officer, joined by other NOPD cars, pursued the getaway car to the 1000 block of Chartres Street where they stopped the 1999 gray Infiniti G20, which was occupied by 2 black men, a black juvenile boy, and 3 black women. A gun described in each of the robberies was found in the glove compartment and various property taken in the robberies was found on the back seat.

Arrested were:

• John James, 20, whose last known address is 1736 Vintage Dr., Kenner. He was charged with 2 counts of armed robbery, 1 count of robbery with a firearm, and is also being held on a warrant from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. He was identified in all 3 robberies.

• Wilbert L. Johnson, 18, whose last know address is 444 Sopaparu St. He was charged with 1 counts of armed robbery and 1 count of robbery with a firearm. He was identified in the Dauphine/Kerelec robbery and the Dauphine/St. Philip robbery.

• 14-year-old black boy, whose last know address is 1839 Carondelet St. He was charged with armed robbery.

Also charged with armed robbery were 3 black women who shared the same address 1736 Vintage Dr. in Kenner as John James:

• Kiandra Lee, 23

• Tiandra Lee, 21

• Tiffany LeBlanc, 25
  

All 6 suspects were booked into Central Lockup this morning just after 7 a.m. They have not appeared before a magistrate yet for a bond hearing.

Give the men of the 8th District, and their commander, Lt. Selby, a hand for putting the screws to these crooks and getting them out of the neighborhood. The taskforce they're manning every night is showing results--either in fewer crimes or more arrests. Maybe even tell your city councilman you want funding for these efforts to continue.

More tomorrow on a rash of residential burglaries...but for now, the Saints aren't going to delay the kickoff for me.

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler

Crime update 8.7.07

So far so good...

Hyped-up patrols are working: Since Lt. Eddie Selby sent his force of plainclothes cops into the Lower French Quarter and Marigny Triangle on the first of the month, that part of the 8th District has been nearly as quiet as it's ever been. After the patrols began in reaction to a wave of armed robberies at the end of July, no armed robberies have occurred and even car thefts and break-ins have been virtually non-existent in those neighborhoods. That's in marked contrast to 22 armed robberies in the 8th District from 6.29.07 to 7.31.07, with 15 of the total in the Lower Quarter and Triangle.

The shooting of a suspect by one of the force's plainclothesmen may have solved at least 2 of those robberies. The second night of the enhanced patrols last Thursday morning, Vincent Beverly, 18, a black man, tried to outdraw the cop by pulling a .40-caliber Glock from his waistband when he was corned by 2 officers at Chartres and Gov. Nicholls streets. The cop was quicker on the trigger and shot the suspect once in the side. He's still in the hospital and is expected to be paralyzed for life.

When Beverly's picture was shown in a photo lineup to victims in several recent robberies, the victims in 2 robberies were able to positively identify Beverly as the man who robbed them. The victim in a third robbery said he couldn't be sure it was Beverly. When the suspect is released from the hospital, he will be charged in the robbery of 2 white men 7.23.07 at 1417 Royal St. and the robbery of a man 7.28.07 in the 1200 block of Bourbon Street. A man who was robbed in the 900 block of Esplanade Avenue on 7.26.07 was not able to positively ID the suspect.

But elsewhere...: The only 2 robberies that have occurred since the crackdown have been outside the targeted area.

• Magazine and Gravier streets, Monday 8.6.07, 4 a.m.: A 25-year-old black female from Illinois was walking on Gravier when a black car pulled up and a black female armed with a handgun got out and demanded the victim's purse. The victim complied and the robber sped off with the purse containing $300. The robber was described as 25-27, 5'5" tall, weighing 130 pounds; there was no description of the vehicle.
  

• Iberville and Burgundy streets, Monday 8.6.07, 5 a.m.: A white man, 22, and a black man, 39, both from Baton Rouge, were walking in the 200 block of Burgundy toward Canal Street when they realized they were being followed by 3 black men. As they got to Iberville, 2 more black men approached them from the other direction. The 5 thugs attacked the 2 men and took their wallets. Ritz-Carlton employees observed the melee and ran to the aid of the victims and stopped the attack. The attackers, described as 20-25 of age, with one having dreadlocks, made off with the wallets and just over $300 in cash. The incident was caught on the hotel's video cameras, but was of poor quality. (You'd think the Ritz-Carlton, of all hotels, could afford better surveillance.)

Pursesnatchings continue: While pursesnatchings have subsided somewhat, you still have to be careful. On Sunday, 8.5.07, a white woman, 31, was walking in the 900 block of Toulouse Street about 3:30 p.m. when a black man on a red English racer-style bicycle rode up beside her and grabbed the purse from her shoulder. He fled across N. Rampart Street and turned on Basin Street. He was described as in his early 40s, 5'11" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with short hair and dark complexion, wearing dark pants and light colored T-shirt.

Kidnapping? You decide: Only a tourist would be foolish enough to follow two strangers into the Iberville Housing Project. But according to the Times-Picayune, a 38-year-old man from Maryland wandered off Bourbon Street about 8 a.m. Saturday 8.4.07 when 2 men approached him and asked him to follow them. Typically, the T-P didn't identify the victim or the perps by race, but it's hard to believe 3 white men would stupidly venture into the 1400 block of Bienville Street where there have been 3 or more shootings/killings in the past week. Once there, the tourist was held against his will, cut no less than 7 times and shot in the butt 3 times. He was too sedated in the hospital for cops to get more details. But the NOPD's 1st District, which wrote the report, is calling it a "simple kidnapping" to pin the crime in the 8th District. Can't blame the 1st for not wanting to take the heat for still another shooting in its jurisdiction, but why pin a dubious charge on the 8th?

Don't forget : As part of the annual Night Out Against Crime TONIGHT, 2 crimewatch groups in the French Quarter are staging parties:

• Lower Quarter Crime Watch: 6-9 p.m. at Cabrini Park at Dauphine and Barracks streets. Bring a potluck dish to share; drinks will be supplied by Margaritaville. There will be live music. Bring chairs and your neighbors.

• Upper Quarter Neighborhood Watch: 6:30-8:30 p.m. 900 block of Orleans Street, between Dauphine and Burgundy streets. It's potluck with free beer, wine and soft drinks, and live music by violin and accordion.

More importantly: With all the talk of the good video surveillance cameras could do in fighting crime in the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle, the NONPAC meeting THIS Thursday (8.9.07) will feature a presentation by Det. Mike Carambat, from the NOPD's criminal intelligence bureau, about cameras for homes and businesses. He'll show demonstrations and dispense important information on installing your own video surveillance. With him will be Robert Stellingworth, president of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, who will explain the plans for a citywide database of video cameras.

A good number of residents have expressed interest in installing their own systems, but are unaware of how to go about it. This meeting should provide some valuable insights.

The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Omni Royal Orleans hotel, 621 St. Louis St.

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler

Crime update 7.24.07

Just when you thought it safe...

Robberies rebound: After a relatively quiet week following a rash of armed robberies a week ago, the bad guys are back at it. Two 19-year-old Mississippi men were robbed at gunpoint last night (7.23.07) on Royal Street near Esplanade Avenue at almost the exact location of another robbery 11 days ago that bears remarkable similarities--although the NOPD arrested a suspect in the earlier incident.

Last night, the victims, who are white, were walking about 10 p.m. on Royal toward Esplanade when they were accosted by a black man with an automatic handgun. He forced them into an alley at 1417 Royal St. and demanded their wallets. When one of the victims was slow in producing his wallet, the perpetrator smacked him along side the head with the gun. The crook then ordered the men to their knees, facing the wall, as he fled with nearly $200 in cash.

The perpetrator was described as 18-25 years old, 5'10" tall, thin build, with (of course) short dreadlocks, wearing a black T-shirt and light-colored shorts.

In the similar robbery on July 12 at 1424 Royal St., three 24-year-old white men were held up at gunpoint about 1 a.m., ordered to put their hands on the wall while the robber lifted their wallets, and then forced to lay on the ground while the robber fled. In that case, the NOPD arrested Anthony Fields, 21, who is 5'10" tall and weighs 140 pounds, with short dreadlocks, and was wearing a black T-shirt. But Fields is sitting in OPP in lieu of over a half-million dollars' bail.

The lesson is: No matter all the recent successes the 8th District NOPD has had in apprehending robbers, they're still out there.

Shoes make the man: A tip from a woman who learned the hard way: When you're trying to describe a perpetrator, remember his shoes. A woman who signed her email as "Someone who didn't!" says while clothing descriptions are important, "many perps wear distinguishing clothing that is easily removed, unlike their footwear."

She also says skin "tone" is also important. A black person could be light complected, or dark, or somewhere in between. She adds, "A black male with close cropped hair or dreadlocks isn't very specific. Check out the shoes and skin tone!"

Good points. It may be hard to get an overall description under distress, but shoes are often very distinct and if you can remember just those details, it might make a difference in identifying a perp.

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler

Crime update 7.23.07

Not so funny now...

Laughing boy squelched: The kid who thought it was fun and games terrorizing tourists a weekend ago is probably singing a different tune now. A 14-year-old black boy was charged in the armed robbery of 3 young women and one man, all in their 20s, early Saturday morning a week ago (7.14.07) in the 1600 block of Paugher Street in the Marigny Triangle. He is also considered a possible suspect in the robbery of a California tourist in the 1200 block of Dauphine Street in the Lower Quarter early last Monday morning (7.16.07) and another robbery Sunday morning (7.15.07) near Fulton and Julia streets by the convention center. There is no word on the whereabouts of his accomplice or the rest of his buddies in the getaway car.

The boy bandit seemed to be on a lark. According to the police report on the Marigny robbery, "All of the victims described the situation as somewhat comical as in they could hardly believe these two were robbing them...they believed this was a joke and maybe it was a fake gun that the perpetrators acted in a childish comical manner." The gun was not fake--the robber fired 2 to 6 shots into the air from a silver-colored revolver while fleeing to a getaway car.

In the Dauphine robbery, the police reported, "The two suspects then started laughing as they ran and jumped into the silver Jeep and sped away. The victim thought the two perpetrators seemed extremely nervous and unskilled in their profession." In that case too, the robber used a revolver which the victim "originally thought could possibly be a fake," but no shots were fired this time.

Where was this kid's mama? They live in the 2100 block of St. Bernard Avenue. Didn't she wonder where Junior was at 1 and 2 a.m.? Are we not going to see her step up until street justice takes care of her son--and then see her, his aunts, his grandma all weeping and wailing on the TV news? Just like we have over and over before. I don't know about you, but I get tired of seeing these crying jags AFTER the fact.

Street justice claims another one: I don't know if you saw the report in the T-P a weekend ago, but one of the thugs gunned down at Clara and Felicity streets had a long criminal history. He had pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder in 1997, possession of marijuana in 2003 and possession of a stolen auto in 2002. He had appeared in court on another marijuana charge just 2 days before being shot dead and was due back in court a couple of days after his death. Case closed.

Suspects sought: An arrest warrant was issued Thursday (7.19.07) for a suspect in the armed robbery of a Covington couple in the 700 block of Gov. Nicholls Street on June 30. The NOPD is looking for 18-year-old Gino M. McDowell, whose last known address is 1539 Music St. He is described as a black male, 6'1" tall, weighing 160 pounds, with medium-length dreadlocks.

When apprehended he will be charged with armed robbery of the white couple, a man 36 and a woman 23, who were strolling about 12:30 a.m. when they stopped to admire a garden at 715 Gov. Nicholls and the suspect allegedly crossed the street and pulled a gun on the pair, forcing the man to kneel on the sidewalk facing the wall. The robber got $30 and two credit cards from the man.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for a suspect in the robbery June 22 of an 18-year-old white man who resides in the 400 block of Burgundy and made the mistake of walking by Dauphine and St. Louis streets--"Crack Corner". Wanted is Billy Gaines, 22, whose last known address is 1122 Behrman Hwy. in Algiers. He is described as a black man, 5'11" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with dreadlocks. Saying "of course" might be exaggerating a bit, but have you noticed the trend lately?

According to the police report, a witness saw the suspect standing on the corner with a group of black men and women about 3 a.m. and heard him tell his buddies he was going to punch the approaching victim in the face. The suspect, according to the witness, went up behind the victim in the 900 block of St. Louis Street, punched the man in the head and took his wallet containing $35 and his cellphone.

More successes?: I haven't tallied up the crime reports I get from the NOPD scientifically, but it seems to me that Lt. Eddie Selby and his pack of detectives are solving more crimes than ever before. They're making more arrests and issuing more warrants than I can recall in a long time. It might be nice next time you see him just to say "thanks."

Score one for the scooters: Some wonder whether the officers on motorscooters that Capt. Edwin Hosli is sending out on patrol are effective. Here's a testimonial: a resident this morning reported returning home in the 900 block of Ursulines Avenue to fine a derelict sprawled out on the sidewalk asleep. He called 8th District headquarters and within 3 minutes an officer on a scooter arrived to haul the sidewalk sleeper off in cuffs. The officer had been in Jackson Square, so it was a quick scoot to Ursulines. A patrol car would not likely have been able to maneuver so fast.

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler

Crime update 7.16.07

Here we go again...

New robberies, same robbers, possibly: 4 more armed robberies in the last 2 days have the 8th District NOPD hopping.

A robbery this morning at about 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of Dauphine Street might have been perpetrated by the same punks who held up 4 people Saturday morning at Pauger and Burgundy streets, according to Lt. Eddie Selby. And they might be connected to a robbery Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. in the 800 block of Fulton Street.

The police are looking for a silver Jeep, possibly with a Florida license plate since the plate was green and orange. The robbers escaped in this vehicle which contained 3 other black guys.

The robbers were described as black boys, "very young, possibly teenagers." The victim thought the two perpetrators seemed "extremely nervous and unskilled in their profession." The gunman was described as about 5'8" tall, wearing a red hat and red shirt, with tight braids coming out from the side of his hat. His accomplice was about 6'2", wearing blue jean shorts and had his hair in a small afro. Lt. Selby thinks they know who the gunman is, but now it's just a matter of time before they locate him and the silver Jeep.

The victim, a 23-year-old white man from California, parked his RV on Elysian Fields Avenue, walked down Esplanade Avenue to Dauphine Street. When he got to the 1200 block (between Barracks & Gov. Nicholls streets) he saw 2 black guys standing, talking with 3 black guys in a silver Jeep. As he approached, the Jeep drove off but then slowed down as the 2 punks came toward him and pulled a revolved, which the victim thought might be fake (don't take the chance--3 shots were fired by the robber in the Saturday morning robbery). He gave them his backpack and his wallet, which contained no cash but did contain a credit card and bank card. The 2 perpetrators then started laughing as they ran and jumped into the silver Jeep and sped away.

(The victim walked over to Bourbon Street where he tried to report the crime to an officer there, but was told he would have to go to the 8th District headquarters at Royal and Conti streets--at least 10 blocks away! That officer never did broadcast a description of the getaway car. I'm waiting to hear what Capt. Hosli has to say about this cop--I know darn well it doesn't measure up to his standards.)

Two robberies in the CBD are also believed to be linked to another pair of robbers.

At 3:20 a.m. Sunday, a gold Nissan Maxima with tinted windows pulled up next to 2 white men where walking to their vehicle at Annunciation and Poeyfarre streets. The driver asked the men what street they were on when the passenger got out of the car and pulled a semi-automatic handgun and demanded, "Give me what you've got!" One of the intended victims took off running around the corner, his 26-year-old buddy gave the robber his wallet. The robber hit him in the back of the head with the gun and got back in the Nissan, which fled down Poeyfarre.

The robber was described as being a black man, 5'9" tall, weighing 190 pounds, wearing a tan T-shirt, blue jean shorts, and his hair in cornrows.

In another robbery in the CBD about 1:55 a.m. this morning, a 30-year-old white man and 25-year-old white woman who had gone to the woman's car parked in the 900 block of Tchoupitoulas Street were approached by a car in a fashion similar to the Sunday morning robbery.

That car was described as a Nissan Maxima or possibly a gold or silver or dark-colored Pontiac Grand Am. The passenger rolled down his window and asked "Do you know where Diddy Street is?" The woman asked her companion if he had every heard of such a street in the area. "While they where occupied with the topic of Diddy Street," as the police report put it, a black man got out of the car and pointed a handgun at the woman, yelling "Give me everything and get on the ground!" The woman emptied her pockets and put her cellphone, her keys and some spare change on the rear of her car and threw herself on the ground. Her companion, " who was somewhat in shock did not listen," as the police report put it. The robber walked around the car to him and reiterated his command, "Didn't I tell you to get on the ground?" This time he complied and the robber patted him down, looking for loot. The robber took the woman's cellphone and threw her keys on the ground away from the victims. He returned to his car and told his accomplice, "They don't have anything," and got in the car as it sped off. The victims stayed on the ground for several minutes before they got up and called police.

The victims described the gunman as wearing a red striped shirt and jeans shorts, with dreadlocks. Dreadlocks again! If you see'em, report'em!

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler

Crime update 7.14.07

Cops are catching them...

Now if Eddie Jordan would just...: Cops from the 8th District have busted the suspected perpetrator in two armed robberies in the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle, and may be able to link him to still others.

Arrested was Anthony Fields, 21, a black man, whose last known address was 1926 Arts St. He was charged with 3 counts of armed robbery, 2 counts of robbery with a firearm, and one count each of felon with a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He's sitting in OPP with a $525,000 bond on his head.

He's the suspect in at least these two robberies:

• 1424 Royal St., on the Marigny side of Esplanade Avenue, at about 12:55 a.m. Thursday (7.12.07), a trio of 24-year-old white men where walking along Royal when a black man came up behind them and stuck a black semi-automatic pistol in their backs. He ordered them to put their hands up against the wall as he removed their wallets from their pants' pockets. He then ordered the victims to lay on the ground as he fled up Esplanade toward the river.

• Burgundy and Barracks streets on 6.29.07: Two 24-year-old white guys were walking down Burgundy toward Esplanade Avenue at 2:33 a.m. when they were robbed by 2 black guys with revolvers.
  

When DA Eddie Jordan had his first shot at Fields back in May of 2003 after he'd been arrested for possession of a stolen auto, he refused the case. Then after Fields was arrested in May of 2005 for simple robbery, and his case dragged through the court for nearly two years, Jordan decided to "nolle pros" (not prosecute) his case in April of this year.

Another Marigny robbery: Two young black kids, suspected to be around 15 years old, robbed four young tourists Saturday morning around 2 a.m. at Burgundy and Pauger streets. They jumped from behind bushes to rob the one man and 3 women. They fired 3 shots into the ground before fleeing in a car with a total of $12 and one purse.

Not a robbery: One of the 3 armed robberies reported last weekend in the Marigny Triangle has been reclassified as a "miscellaneous incident", but we don't have any details to know exactly what happened. That was the one that supposedly happened on Sunday (7.8.07) at 7 p.m. at Dauphine and Frenchmen streets. Police did arrest suspects in the other 2 robberies.

Lower Quarter robberies: Police have no suspects in two other armed robberies that occurred Wednesday (7.11.07) within two blocks of each other:

• St. Philip Street--maybe the 800 block near Bourbon Street or maybe the 900 block near Dauphine Street--both the victim and the police officer who wrote the report seemed confused as to where. But the report indicates it occurred on a little before 3 a.m. when a black man crossed the street and stuck a silver handgun in the 20-year-old white victim's face and ordered him to "give it up." He gave up a wallet that contained no cash and no credit cards. When the robber further demanded the victim "give me everything", the victim reached into his pans pocket and pulled out his car keys. The robber grabbed the keys and fled. The perpetrator was described as 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds.

• 800 block of Ursulines Avenue: A tourist was walking on Ursulines toward Dauphine Street after leaving what was probably the Quartermaster Deli (better known as the "Nellie Deli") at the corner of Bourbon Street. A black man walked past him and then turned around, walked back and stuck a black semi-automatic handgun in the victim's face. The robber relieved the victim of his wallet containing a credit card and about $75 in cash. Then the perp grabbed a plastic bag the victim had containing 2 beers, a pack of cigarettes, and a pint of vodka-- oh, no, the good stuff!--which he had just purchased at the deli. The robber fled up Ursulines and ran down Dauphine.

The robbery happened about 11:15 p.m., but the victim didn't report it until 11:53 p.m.--after first going back to his hotel to cancel the credit card, then returning to the deli to buy another beer, and flagging down a cop car at Ursulines and Dauphine on his way back to his hotel again. The perpetrator was described as in his mid-20s, 5'9" tall, weighing 180 pounds, short hair, wearing a black shirt.

The detective working the case noticed surveillance cameras at 824 and 826 Ursulines which he hopes may have recorded the incident. (We were unable to supply any information to the police about the cameras because the owners of the cameras have not reported them to the database we're trying to compile to aid the police in cases just such as this. In fact, citizen response for information on their video surveillance systems has been dismal. Are you really against crime or not?)

A "woman" scorned?: A man was stabbed as he walked on St. Ann Street at Bourbon Street on Thursday (7.12.07) around 2:30 a.m. by another man who was wearing a blond wig and blue and white striped dress. The perpetrator grabbed the victim and said, "Where do you think you're going?" When the victim pushed the perpetrator away, he realized he'd been stabbed. He walked to his vehicle in the 800 block of Bourbon Street and flagged down a cop car. He was transported by ambulance to University Hospital where he was treated for major cuts to his left forearm, right shoulder and back of his neck.

After investigating, the police issued a warrant for Lamont Joseph, 32, a black male whose last known address was 124 Peter Lane, St. Rose. The suspect is believed to have fled the scene in a red Pontiac Vibe SUV.

Notes from NONPAC: Heard at the monthly NONPAC (New Orleans Neighborhood Policing Anti-Crime Council) meeting Thursday evening (7.12.07) were things not usually heard: praise for the cops. One woman told how an officer in a patrol car called her and her young daughter over to the car and asked the child if she'd like to turn on the car's flashing lights. The child did, the mother said, and the little girl was thrilled beyond words. Other citizens in the small audience chimed in with brief tales of pleasant encounters they've had recently with 8th District NOPD officers. Maybe things are changing for the better after all.

Capt. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th, explained, "I'm trying to get them to be more friendly--I tell them if they'd just got out there they'd be pleased with the response they get from citizens." The culprits, he says--and most citizens agree--are the officers riding around in patrol cars with the windows rolled up, the A/C cranked up, while they're talking on cellphones.

"My goal is to get them all out of their cars," says Capt. Hosli. To that end, there are now 6 officers on motorscooters full-time, more scooters have been bought, and more will be bought--thanks to a reported almost $40,000 raised at Wednesday night's packed benefit at the new Drago's Seafood Restaurant at the Hilton Riverside Hotel.

And he wants to make it easier for citizens to call into the 8th District headquarters and talk to a supervisor. He doesn't want the officer answering the phone to grill callers on why they're calling. He's even made test calls to the desk to see if the order's being followed. If you've got a complaint and want to talk to a ranking officer, call 658-6080.

Not all is rosy: The Captain admitted "some mistakes were made" in how traffic was handled in the French Quarter during last week's Essence Festival. A big part of the problem was that NOPD recruits who haven't even gone through the police academy were manning the road blocks trying to keep traffic from crossing Bourbon Street. He said he would try to improve the plan before the next big event. "If you have ideas, give me your ideas," he asked citizens. (Speaking of Essence Fest: the last time it was held here in 2005, there were over 100 major crimes reported; this year when it resumed here, there were only 54 crimes reported.)

Complaints that the intersection of Dauphine and Conti streets has become "Crack Corner" met with assurances from the Captain that arrests are being made there. As for complaints of possibly criminal activity by shady characters loitering on other nearby streets, Hosli explained, "We can't profile--but if you call and complain, I can check them out." In other words, "private citizens can profile," as one citizen pointed out. So if you're suspicious of some dude with dreadlocks, a dark complexion, wearing a white T-shirt and baggy pants--the kind of guy that "makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up," as Hosli puts it--call the 8th District.

Turning cases over to the feds is not automatic, the Captain explained in response to a query from a representative of French Quarter Citizens. But U.S. Attorney Jim Letten "is happy to take what he can." Hosli said the NOPD does have a liaison with the ATF to determine when to prosecute a suspect as a "felon in possession of a firearm." He said "criminals are terrified of federal prison," so he welcomes to use that as a hammer over suspects.

(Speaking of which: Patrick Jones, who was arrested for an armed robbery at Frenchmen and N. Rampart streets on 7.6.07, and is also suspected in the robbery of a Chinese food delivery man on Burgundy Street in May, is going the federal route. He was previously charged with the aforementioned "felon in possession" back in January, 2006, and was out on bail and due back in court 7.18.07. Now it looks like the feds have their claws into him, but good.)

Help on the way: Auto thefts are out of control. From Monday to Thursday (7.9.07-7.12.07), 7 cars have been stolen in the Lower Quarter and Marigny Triangle, and another 9 in the CBD--16 in 4 days! But help is on the way, says Capt. Hosli. The State Police is bringing in its Auto Theft Taskforce to tackle the problem. None too soon.

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler

Crime update 7.11.07

Wait, there's more...

More on Marigny robberies: We've received additional details on the armed robbery Sunday at 1:28 a.m. at Touro and Royal streets. The NOPD arrested 2 black men for robbing a 36-year-old woman who lives on Royal Street as she and a male companion were walking through the intersection. One man stuck a handgun in the victim's face and said, "Give me your purse, ma'm," before jumping into a waiting car driven by his accomplice. The victim flagged down a marked patrol car driving past at about the same time and the officers caught up with the perpetrators' car.

Arrested and charged with armed robbery were Eric Gentris, 18, identified as the gunman, whose last known address was 1314 Claiborne Ave., and Oneil Carter, 20, identified as the getaway driver, of Harvey, who was out on parole for an armed robbery in Jefferson Parish.

NOcrimeline previously reported (7.9.07) on the arrest of a suspect in the robbery of a man at Frenchmen and N. Rampart streets late Friday night. We are still awaiting a report of an armed robbery early Sunday evening at Dauphine and Frenchmen streets.

More pursesnatchings: It's not just tourists who are falling victim to pursesnatchers. A 42-year-old woman who works at Snug Harbor was getting into her car in the 2000 block of Chartres Street on Friday (7.6.07) at 11:51 p.m. when a black man pulled up in a silver and black SUV, snatched the purse off her arm, and drove off. The report didn't indicate what she lost in the theft and she wasn't able to give the police any description of the vehicle or the perpetrator. Bye-bye bad guy.

A 26-year-old female tourist from Georgia was relieved of her purse in the 200 block of Royal Street on 6.30.07 at about 11:30 p.m. A black man walking toward her, bumped into her, knocking her purse from her right shoulder to the ground. He grabbed it and fled toward Canal Street. She did give police a good description: black male, 20-25 years old, 5'10" tall, weighing 175 pounds, hair in dreadlocks, dark skin, wearing a red and white baseball cap, white T-shirt, blue jean shorts. What's it with dreadlocks lately? Seems like more and more descriptions of perpetrators include them. All the more reason to be especially suspicious of anyone with them.

Value of video: If you ever doubted how well video surveillance cameras work in the fight against crime, two suspects in recent crimes have been caught on camera. Remember the guy who clobbered his victim while robbing him in the 100 block of Bourbon Street on 6.22.07 and putting the victim in a coma? When the perpetrator's picture from video surveillance was released, a tip to Crimestoppers identified the suspect as 19-year-old Louis A. Gordon. Now Crimestoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for the capture of this suspect, who's out on probation for a drug offense. Call 822-1111.

Surveillance cameras in the lobby of the Days Inn on Canal Street at Claiborne Avenue gave a clear picture of the black man who held up the hotel at 6:45 p.m. on 7.3.07. First he asked the two women working behind the counter for change for a $5 bill, then asked if the hotel was hiring--and if they tested for drugs. Then he flashed a .45 handgun and asked for what he really wanted--all the cash in the register. He made off with $280. The suspect was described as 25-35 years old, 5'11" tall, approximately 230 pounds, with a short style hair cut and a thin mustache. Crimestoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for the arrest and indictment of this suspect. Call 822-1111.

By the way, we haven't forgotten those of you who have supplied information about your own video surveillance systems for the database we are trying to compile for the 8th District NOPD to use in its investigations. We need more people to respond and we will soon be contacting you for additional information.

DON'T FORGET:

• Video meeting: Tonight, 6 p.m., at Holy Angels Church, 3500 St. Claude Ave. (at Gallier Street), for a presentation by Detective Mike Carambat, of the NOPD Criminal Intelligence Bureau, on the use of video surveillance cameras for neighborhood security. (Sponsored by the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association's Crime Prevention Committee)
  

• Fundraiser to benefit the 8th District: Tonight, 6-8:30 p.m., at the new Drago's Seafood Restaurant in the Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras St. Tickets are $75 per person.
  

• NONPAC: Tomorrow night, 5:30 p.m., Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St. Louis St. Too many residents of the neighborhood dismiss these monthly meetings as all talk and no action. But they are what you make of them--it's your opportunity to quiz the top officers in the 8th District about what's being done about crime. If you just sit there and listen to a recitation of statistics, admittedly B-O-R-I-N-G. But if you pressure Capt. Hosli or Lt. Selby to explain what's actually being done to combat crime, you might get see some progress. I keep hearing queries about the drug dealing and prostitution in the 400 block of Dauphine Street. Now I hear at least one citizen's ready to push the issue with the top brass at tomorrow's NONPAC meeting.

• Crime Prevention Fair: Saturday, 7.14.07 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the U.N.O. Athletic Center, near Elysian Fields and Lakeshore Drive. Members of the NOPD, UNO Police, F.B.I., Louisiana State Attorney General's Office and several other agencies will be there. Several businesses, security specialists, alarm companies and locksmiths from the Louisiana Life Safety and Security Association will address citizens' safety and security needs. Representatives from Home Depot and Lowe's will provide re-building tips as well as show products to secure homes and businesses. Citizens are urged to come and meet the professionals, as well as observe what's new in the security industry to keep them safe.

What we report, what we don't, and how we decide: A reader wrote after the last NOcrimeline update to chide us for not reporting about a burglar who walked into his house in the Marigny Triangle while he was sleeping on the Fourth of July and made off with his $650 laptop computer. Not chide us so much as to inquire as to why we didn't report it. My short answer was, "I didn't have the time." But what ensued was a helpful dialogue on how we decide on what to report.

"Several of us have known about reported crimes but had not seen them on your report," wrote Eric Walton. "Many of us had assumed that your summation was a 100% reflection of crime reports and when we don't see a crime that we have first-hand knowledge about we assume that it was not 'entered into the system' by the police (some attribute this to allegations of either police incompetence or a police cover up to artificially deflate crime stats)."

First, I must say that the police are not to blame. Because of the efforts of the 8th District's Capt. Edwin Hosli, Lt. Eddie Selby, and Sgt. Theresa Meunier, the residents of the French Quarter, Marigny Triangle, and CBD get more information faster than anyone else in any other NOPD district in the city. These officers have pioneered this unique effort with NOcrimeline and should be commended for their forthrightness.

Every morning I am sent an updated crime map by Sgt. Meunier. The map marks the location of all UCR crimes (ones reported to the FBI for statistical purposes) in the district with a unique icon for each type of crime. It lists the report number for all the "person" crimes (so called because violence or force is used against the victim), plus burglaries ("property" crimes). Other "property" crimes (such as car thefts and break-ins, shoplifting and pickpocketing, to name a few) are indicated only by an icon, unless an arrest has been made, and then a report number is listed.

It is up to me to request from Sgt. Meunier those reports I want more information about. I request reports that I believe will be of particular interest to residents of our neighborhoods, according to NOcrimeline's goal of informing citizens so they can take precautions to avoid becoming crime victims. I look for trends that might be forming, say an increase in the number of pursesnatchings, or particular crimes increasing in a certain area. And sometimes, it's as I told Eric, I just don't have the time to include everything.

Eric, being the attorney he is, suggested I include a disclaimer that NOcrimeline only provides a summary of some of the crimes occurring in the 8th District and does not include all crimes that are occurring. You will find that below.

And, as always, I welcome information from citizens who have first-hand knowledge of crimes occurring in the neighborhood or want more information about a particular crime. Not only does it make sure that nothing is slipping through the reports, but it helps me gauge what NOcrimeline's subscribers are interested in.

***

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thom Kahler