Special GUSTAV report

Safe so far in the French Quarter: As the French Quarter leads the city in bouncing back from the menace of Herr Gustav, no particular problems have been reported in the heard of the heart of New Orleans.

Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the NOPD 8th District, which encompasses the Quarter, told NOcrimeline, "We have had no problems--my officers never stopped patrolling during the storm."

To combat the threat of looting, "We have cars assigned to sectors riding with their overhead lights on," he said. "We also are working in conjunction with the Louisiana National Guard."

Looters arrested: Reports of looting keep coming in, mostly from the most already-desolate areas of the city: the East, Lakeview, and Gentilly.

• Wednesday (9.3.08), the NOPD made 9 arrests for looting, 3 for kicking in doors in New Orleans East, 1 for a home entry in Lakeview, and 5 for breaking into a grocery store in Mid-City.

• Thursday (9.4.08), 63 burglaries were reported, including 2 of businesses; there were 14 arrests for looting.

There were no reports of any of the looters boarding Mayor Ray Nagin's bus bound directly for Angola that wouldn't go past OPP for booking. Those charged with looting--breaking into a dwelling or business during a disaster--face no less than 3 years in prison and up to 15 years of hard time; normally, burglary is a 6-year maximum term.

Power to the people: Electricity is reported restored to all parts of the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle, though rumors speak of isolated outages.

Entergy claims 90% of the city will have service by Saturday evening (9.6.08) and that the remainder will have power by Monday (9.8.08).

Bundled or bungled? Cox Communications is vague about where its service is available and isn't.

Some residents of the Quarter report having cable and internet service, and others say they have none, or it has been intermittent.

Imagine what it would be like if you ALL of your communication services bundled with Cox!

Rest of the story: The status of other services in the city:

• Grocery stores: Rouses reported that most stores in the New Orleans area are open, including Royal Street in the Quarter. All Winn-Dixies in the city are open. Whole Foods on Magazine Street reopens today.
  

• Gas stations: Most gas stations appear to be open. The state has a list at this site that is updated daily.
  

• Restaurants: Most restaurants are reported open already. Harrah's Casino is due to open at 6 p.m. today.

• Bars: Johnny White's Sports Bar and Molly's at the Market never closed, of course; Tujague's is open again with fine Szaracs.
  

• Water: Running and safe to drink.

• Trash pick-up: Sidney Torres and his crews got right to work on Monday (9.1.08) to clean up the Quarter.
  

• Mail: Delivery resumed Thursday (9.4.08).

• Hospitals: All hospitals and emergency rooms in Orleans Parish are open.

• Cellphones: AT&T reports all towers are back up and operational; other companies have not reported.

• Traffic signals: 250 of 450 in city reported working.

• Bridges: The St. Claude Avenue bridge is the only one functional to cross the Industrial Canal.

• Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International is open and operational.

• City Hall: Mayor Nagin closed city hall Thursday and Friday--his way, I guess, of saying "mission accomplished."
  

Reporting problems: The 311 call center is operating 24 hours a day from an emergency location in San Antonio.

Call 311 or toll-free 866-205-6485 to report downed trees, traffic signals not working, missing or damaged street signs, etc. Then wait for the ennui to begin.

Speaking of problems: The bus people are due to begin returning to the city today. Think 1,400 NOPD officers on 12-hours shifts and 1,500 National Guardsmen will be enough?

What else? If there's other information that's vital to your return home, please let me know and we'll try to find out. If you know of other closings or openings, or service restored or still out, please report it to NOcrimeline@gmail.com.

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

Thom Kahler