Back to normal

Of course, that means armed robberies abound again in most of the city since Gustav. Maybe the miscreants are supplementing their income while waiting for FEMA to feed them. The French Quarter endured only a couple robberies, as if that's a lot of consolation. But a strange phenomena in the Quarter: Of the 4 crimes over the weekend we heard about, no guns were used; but 2 broken bottles and a board were.

One robbery or two?: A NOcrimeline reader reported a friend of his, out celebrating his 30th birthday, was robbed Saturday night as he was walking down Dauphine Street and turning onto St. Ann Street, where he was slammed in the face with a wooden board by his attacker.

"He immediately fell to the ground and was unconscious," said the reporter. "The bartenders from Good Friends bar (740 Dauphine St.) screamed to the attacker, who grabbed the cash from his wallet and then dropped it to the ground on top of my friend's unconscious body." The robber got away with about $50. The victim, who was hauled off in an ambulance for stitches to his face, was in no condition to describe his attacker.

When we asked the 8th District NOPD about this incident, we were told it occurred Sunday (9.14.08) morning (not Saturday night) about 2:33 a.m., that it was in the 900 block of Dauphine (between St. Philip and Dumaine streets), and that the victim was robbed of $300.

Although our reporter said his friend was unable to describe his assailant, the NOPD report said the robber was a black man, 5'8" tall, with gold teeth, a dark complexion and short hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants. The report said he struck his victim (but no mention of a weapon was noted) and escaped in a gold Ford Explorer.

Same incident? Maybe so. But all the discrepancies make you wonder. That's what happens when information provided in the police reports is so scant.

"I've got a bottle and I know how to use it": A black guy armed with a broken beer bottle went into Adult Video at 425 Bourbon St. on Sunday (9.14.08) at about 1:35 a.m. and demanded money from the black clerk working behind the counter. The clerk opened the cash register and the robber took an untold amount of money and fled on foot from the store.

A short time later, police arrested Lance Johnson, 20, 5'7" tall, weighing 155 pounds and charged him with armed robbery. He is being held in OPP on $100,000 bond.

Another bottle, another crime: A black couple got into an argument at the corner of Bourbon and St. Louis streets last evening (9.14.08) at 6:34 p.m. and the girl allegedly picked up a broken bottle and cut the 20-year-old guy described as her boyfriend in the back. She fled on foot but was apprehended a block away by Ofc. Keith Ambrose, of the Bourbon Street Promenade.

Arrested was Melanie R. White, 17, whose last know address is 611 N. Rampart St. She was charged with aggravated battery and her bond originally set at $25,000.

But Criminal District Court Judge Raymond C. Bigelow released her on her own recognizance and confined her to her home with an ankle bracelet. He also issued a protective order, presumably against her presumed boyfriend. She was already out on bond on a charge of soliciting a crime against nature.

Is that all there is?: This was the first report of crime from the 8th District in 6 days. It covered only crimes occurring on Sunday (9.14.08). Does that mean no crimes--absolutely none--occurred since last Tuesday (9.9.08) when the 8th District sent out a report?

Hard to believe. It would be nice if it were true. It would be nicer still if we knew what was happening so we could take precautions to avoid becoming victims.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

After the storm

ZERO looting in the French Quarter: While other areas of the city have had random acts of looting since Gustav, Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the police district that encompasses the French Quarter, CBD, and Marigny Triangle, told NOcrimeline: "As of this date (9.8.08), we have had zero (0) reports of looting in the 8th District.

"I suppose that could change, but I assume that the majority of residents and business owners have returned to the 8th District, and it would have been reported by now."

He added, "Officers assigned to the 8th District never came off the street. We continued to patrol the 8th District while the storm was making land fall. We have not stopped patrolling.

"Once the storm passed and the winds returned to a safe speed, units from other divisions sent additional patrols to assist us.

"The officers assigned to the 8th District went into an anti-looting mode as the storm was upon us and remain in that mode."

(Anti-looting mode is patroling the neighborhood by sectors, with each car's overhead blue lights flashing. It's obviously been effective, and some residents wonder why the police can't do this all the time. Good question.)

During the past week, from 8.31.08 to 9.6.08, the 8th District did not have a single "person" crime (armed robbery, assault, shooting, etc.).

Hats off to Maj. Hosli and his troops. Now if they could just replicate that 365 days a year.

Kudos for Riley: We heard that Chief Warren Riley posted 3-man detachments of cops at each grocery store and drug store in the city. No matter who might have planned the strategy, it's a good one.

The same goes for anti-looting scheme of sending cars with flashing lights out to patrol sector by sector and for giving extended leave to officers who endured Katrina and might not psychologically be able to stand up to another storm.

Those and other efforts prevented a repeat of the meltdown that occurred 3 years ago. Riley should be given credit for being on top of the problem this time.

Temper, temper: Maybe it was the stress of the storm, but a number of incidents seemed to involve people just loosing their cool, often becoming aggravated with someone they knew:

• Aggravated battery, Sunday (9.7.08), 1:16 a.m.: Witnesses reported they saw a white man get into an argument with a passing motorist, who stopped and got out of his car. (The 8th District police report doesn't say where this happened.) The 2 then began fighting and the motorist, a 34-year-old black man, pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the leg.

The assailant fled but was apprehended a short time later and identified as Davidson Lomtex. He was charged with aggravated battery and his bond set at $50,000, which he managed to post and skip free before the sheriff had a chance to snap his picture.

• Aggravated assault, Sunday (9.7.08), 4 p.m.: A white woman got into an argument with a male acquaintance at the corner of O'Keefe Avenue and Poydras Street. The man got in his car and pulled out a pistol, pointing it at the woman before fleeing in the car.

An arrest warrant for aggravated assault has been issued for Daniel Ritter, 34, a white male, 6'1" tall, weighing 210 pounds.

• Aggravated assault, Tuesday (9.9.08), 6:40 p.m.: 2 black women where standing in the 900 block of Conti Street (between Dauphine and Burgundy streets) when they were approached by another black woman they knew. Their "friend" pulled a gun, sending the 2 women scurrying up Conti toward N. Rampart Street.

The gun-toting friend circled the block in her car, approaching the women again at Conti and Burgundy, where she fired a shot before speeding off.

An arrest warrant for aggravated assault has been issued for Tesa McNickles, 23, a black female, 5' tall, weighing 120 pounds.

Bad guys are back too: In broad daylight on Tuesday (9.9.08) at 1:27 p.m., 2 white guys were robbed in the 200 block of S. Robertson Street (between Cleveland and Tulane avenues) by a black dude who came up and pointed a pistol at them, demanding money. The victims complied and the robber fled toward Canal Street.

The police apprehended Douglas Roach, 21, 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, who was armed with a gun. He was charged with armed robbery and his bond set at $200,000, perhaps to make sure he shows up for court this time.

Last year when he was arrested for fleeing from a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon, he kept missing court dates even though his bond kept increasing, from $4,500 to $10,000 to $25,000, all of which he forfeited.

Bad guests: When evacuees behave elsewhere like they do in New Orleans, it doesn't always sit well. One NOcrimeline reader who lives in Sumiton, Alabama reported on the 300 NOLA guests his city hosted at Bevill State Community College.

"We had 4 arrests. Many had to be transported to local hospitals with severe drug withdrawals. Shoplifting at our local Wal-Mart was reported, and now there is a report of a rape at a Wallace State Community College near us. Drugs and other illegal paraphernalia was found in the shelter after the buses departed."

I guess that's what Mayor Nagin would call "keeping the brand alive." And importing it where ever our people go.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

While you were away

Tourists terrified: We haven't heard a response yet from Councilman James Carter to one of the hotel industry's major movers-and-shakers who warned a couple of weeks ago that crime in the French Quarter was crippling tourism in New Orleans.

But we have heard from a couple of tourist who have been hobbled by what they've read.

One potential visitor from Ohio pleaded with tourism officials here to "convince me that it's safe" to come to New Orleans.

The woman, who had to cancel a planned visit here because of Katrina, says, "I noted the news about crime on your website and told them that I want to go on vacation but don't want to become one of your statistics or become a victim of robbery or worse."

Another tourist wrote: "I have visited New Orleans frequently in the past and in April after Katrina when crime was low. My husband and I visited again in April of the next year and were shocked at the difference.

"We were really afraid to walk in the Quarter. Instead we took taxis to Frenchman Street. I was disappointed at having to do this because I love to wander in the Quarter and browse in the shops. Bourbon Street, while always dicey, was really different and the bars were all modern with none of the jazz and blues that you would expect.

"I am sorry for the way the Quarter is now. I really miss it. If we return to Louisiana we will probably not go to New Orleans at all. Right now we plan to visit either Memphis or Savannah. I hope the crime will calm down and we can come back soon."

The city's crime problem is very real to outsiders, and nearly as confusing to those of us who live here. The truth is: If the NOPD would level with the residents of the city--and tourists who want to visit here--all of us would have a realistic notion of just how bad crime is--or isn't.

But when the NOPD stifles efforts by its district commanders to be candid about the full range of crimes occurring, when the NOPD hierarchy fudges the figures and downgrades crimes to make them seem less significant, then you have a muddled view of the milieu we live in.

Even lawmen not immune from crime: A federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent attending an anti-crime conference in New Orleans was beaten to death and robbed before the storm.

About 1:20 a.m. on 8.28.08, Thomas Byrne, 40, from the Dallas area, was found by a passerby on Elysian Fields Avenue near the I-610/I-10 overpass. He was taken to the hospital where he died 8.30.08.

He had last been seen walking to his hotel in the CBD and police theorize he was abducted and dumped on the road.

The NOPD arrested Joseph Miller (left), 50, and Ameal Parker (right), 46, later on 8.28.08 and booked them with possession of stolen property and access device fraud after they allegedly used Byrne's credit cards. Each is being held in OPP on $275,000 bond.

Head to head: Councilwoman Stacey Head ripped Big Chief Warren Riley a new one a couple of weeks ago at a city council meeting while questioning him on the NOPD's policy of downgrading crimes so they don't seem so bad.

She brought up the recent case in the French Quarter where a gunman pumped his victim full of bullets but was only charged with "aggravated assault."

Riley defended the decision not to charge the gunman with "attempted murder" and that it was up to the District Attorney to increase the charge if he thought it was merited. And, refuting Head's charge that this skewed statistics, Riley claims both are classified as "assaults".

(Talk about being soft on crime. By Riley's standards the criminal would be out of prison in no time. If convicted of "aggravated battery" the MAXIMUM penalty is 10 years in prison. If convicted of "attempted murder" the MINIMUM sentence is 10 years, and up to 50 years.)

But a former NOPD officer says of Riley's claims: "That's B.S.!"

"You are taught in as early training as the academy to ALWAYS charge with the greatest charge that fits the circumstances of the crime. Down grading is the job of the DA, not the police. Then to say that both crimes fall under the heading of 'assault' is just ignorant for a cop to say."

He goes on to explain the difference:

"The definition of 'assault' is the attempt to commit a battery. If I were to swing at you in an attempt to punch you, and you ducked and I missed, then I assaulted you (attempt). If I hit you, then I have committed a battery.

"If I shoot at you and I miss, then I am guilty of 'aggravated assault' (assault with a weapon). If I am angry at you and purposely shoot you in the leg in an attempt to hurt you, but not kill you (very rare), then I am guilty of 'aggravated battery.'

"If I drive up to your car and spray 30 rounds at your car, and only manage to hit you in the leg, it is pretty clear I have attempted to kill you and just didn't succeed; the severity of the injury is of no relevance. (This would be 'attempted murder.')

"Any basic academy graduate should know this." So why doesn't Riley, is the question.

Pre-storm crime: It may be relatively quiet now, but before the storm, these crooks got their licks in:

• Armed robbery, 8.22.08, 7:45 p.m.: A white man walking on Bienville Street near Clinton Street was approached by a black guy armed with a pistol who demanded his money. The victim complied and the robber fled to N. Peters Street and up to Canal Street.

The thief was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'10" tall, weighing 170 pounds, with a dark complexion and chin-length dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

• Aggravated battery, 8.22.08, 5:30 a.m.: A black guy tried to break up a fight between a black couple fighting on Bourbon Street near Conti Street when he was slashed on his arm by the woman. The victim was treated at the hospital and released while the unhappy couple fled the scene.

The weapon-wielding woman was described as being in her mid-20's, 5'11", slim build, light complexion, wearing a pink tank top.

• Simple robbery, 8.25.08, 2:41 a.m.: A pair of women, one Hispanic and the other black, were standing near the intersection of Dauphine and Conti streets when they were accosted by 3 black thugs who punched both women and took one of woman's purse.

They fled on Dauphine to Bienville Street, then toward N. Rampart Street and were apprehended a short time later by the NOPD. Arrested and charged with simple robbery were:

• Cornelius Battle (left), 24, 5'7" tall, 130 pounds;
• Michael Frank (middle), 23, 5'5" tall, 245 pounds;
• Arnold James (right), 26, 6'5" tall, 214 pounds, also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

• Aggravated assault, 8.29.08, 5 a.m.: A white man got into an argument with a Hispanic guy in the 900 block of Bienville Street. The Hispanic pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the victim; then the Hispanic handed the gun to another white guy who pointed it at the victim.

Both perps then fled on foot with the victim in pursuit until the police ultimately arrested:

• Humberto Castillo, 27, the Hispanic male, charged with aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon;

• Brandon Gautier, 25, the white male, charged with aggravated assault.

Both were long gone from the hoosegow by the time the NOPD released this report

Drug wrecking crew: Ofc. Billy Tregle and his patrol partner Ofc. Brandon Ludwig made no less than 9 arrests for narcotics violations from the middle of July to 8.25.08. Other officers have made drug arrests, but Tregle and Ludwig have hauled in the bulk of the druggies.

No word yet whether officers have busted up that crackhouse neighbors allege is operating on Bourbon Street near Gov. Nicholls Street.

Be on the lookout for: The NOPD has released an artist's sketch of a possible suspect in the slaying of Jessica Hawk in early August in the Bywater area.

The suspect, who is wanted for questioning, is described as a clean-cut white male, 25 to 35 years old, 6' tall, weighing 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black crew neck jersey with elbow-length sleeves over a white shirt with 3" white cuffs.

Hawk's nude body was found the morning of 8.11.08 in her home at 3013 Chartres St. propped up with multiple stab wounds.

If you have any information on the crime or the whereabouts of this suspect, you are asked to call NOPD homicide detectives at 658-5300 or CrimeStoppers at 822-1111.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

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.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Crimes reported: August 2008

These are the crimes reported during August, 2008 in the 8th District (French Quarter, Marigny Triangle, CBD) as listed on the NOPD's crime map, which gives the dates and locations, but not the time the crimes occurred:

Armed robbery
8.05.08, gun, 2000 St. Claude Ave.
8.09.08, St. Louis St. & Dauphine St.
8.17.08, attempted, gun, 1000 Barracks St.
8.19.08, gun, 2000 Burgundy St.
8.22.08, gun, Bienville St. & Clinton St.
8.28.08, gun, St. Louis St. & Bourbon St.

Simple robbery
8.03.08, pursesnatching, 700 Fulton St.
8.06.08, pickpocketing, Bourbon St. & Iberville St.
8.08.08, Gov. Nicholls St. & Bourbon St.
8.10.08, 600 Toulouse St.
8.16.08, pickpocketing, 1500 Poydras St.
8.25.08, 300 Dauphine St.
8.26.08, 500 Bourbon St.
8.27.08, pursesnatching, 800 Toulouse St.
8.29.08, 1100 Decatur St.

Assault & battery
8.02.08, attempted murder, Bienville St. & Decatur St.
8.07.08, aggravated battery, cutting, 100 Carondelet St.
8.08.08, aggravated battery, cutting, 1300 Royal St.
8.10.08, aggravated battery, cutting, 1000 Decatur St.
8.21.08, aggravated assault, 500 Frenchmen St.
8.22.08, aggravated battery, cutting, Bourbon St. & Conti St.
8.26.08, aggravated battery, 800 Bourbon St.
8.29.08, aggravated assault, 600 Bienville St.

Burglary
8.01.08, 1000 Constance St.
8.02.08, business, 900 Poydras St.
8.06.08, business, 1000 Common St.
8.06.08, business, Poydras St.
8.11.08, residence, 300 Baronne St.
8.12.08, 1500 Tulane Ave.
8.13.08, business, 500 Frenchmen St.
8.22.08, business, 700 Baronne St.
8.24.08, attempted, business, 1000 Howard Ave.

Theft
8.02.08, shoplifting, 700 Royal St.
8.02.08, 800 Common St.
8.03.08, 500 Frenchmen St.
8.03.08, 500 Frenchmen St.
8.03.08, 600 Canal St.
8.04.08, 1000 Magazine St.
8.04.08, 600 Toulouse St.
8.04.08, Bienville St. & Decatur St.
8.05.08, 1000 Loyola Ave.
8.06.08, 800 Poydras St.
8.07.08, Bourbon St. & St. Louis St.
8.07.08, 1600 Canal St.
8.07.08, 300 St. Joseph St.
8.08.08, 1500 Girod St.
8.08.08, 800 Canal St.
8.09.08, bicycle, 300 Canal St.
8.09.08, 1300 Canal St.
8.09.08, 300 Bourbon St.
8.10.08, bicycle, 200 Decatur St.
8.10.08, shoplifting, 400 Canal St.
8.10.08, Bourbon St. & Canal St.
8.11.08, Poydras St.
8.12.08, shoplifting, 100 Carondelet St.
8.12.08, 100 Decatur St.
8.12.08, 800 Toulouse St.
8.13.08, 600 Poydras St.
8.13.08, 2000 St. Claude Ave.
8.14.08, bicycle, 800 Gravier St.
8.14.08, shoplifting, 600 Decatur St.
8.15.08, exterior of auto, N. Diamond St. & Tchoupitoulas St.
8.15.08, shoplifting, 1100 Decatur St.
8.16.08, 200 Poydras St.
8.16.08, 600 Decatur St.
8.16.08, 200 Bourbon St.
8.17.08, shoplifting, 100 Chartres St.
8.17.08, 900 Decatur St.
8.17.08, 700 Commerce St.
8.17.08, 400 St. Charles Ave.
8.18.08, exterior of auto, 300 Canal St.
8.18.08, 200 Chartres St.
8.18.08, 1400 Poydras St.
8.19.08, 400 Bourbon St.
8.19.08, 800 Poydras St.
8.20.08, 400 Bourbon St.
8.22.08, shoplifting, 600 Decatur St.
8.23.08, shoplifting, 1000 Canal St.
8.24.08, 500 Tchoupitoulas St.
8.24.08, 1000 Magazine St.
8.25.08, 600 Bienville St.
8.26.08, Poydras St.
8.27.08, 1600 Canal St.
8.27.08, 1500 Poydras St.
8.28.08, 100 Royal St.
8.30.08, 800 Bourbon St.

Auto theft
8.01.08, 400 Dauphine St.
8.01.08, Magazine St. & St. Joseph St.
8.04.08, Exchange Alley & Iberville St.
8.04.08, Exchange Alley & Iberville St.
8.05.08, St. Joseph St. & Tchoupitoulas St.
8.06.08, Dauphine St. & St. Philip St.
8.06.08, 500 Elysian Fields Ave.
8.06.08, Gravier St. & St. Charles Ave.
8.07.08, 1100 Burgundy St.
8.07.08, 1100 Burgundy St.
8.07.08, 600 Dumaine St.
8.08.08, 1000 Loyola Ave.
8.08.08, 200 Bourbon St.
8.09.08, Common St. & St. Charles Ave.
8.09.08, Clinton St. & Bienville St.
8.11.08, Julia St. & Loyola Ave.
8.11.08, 1100 Decatur St.
8.11.08, 900 St. Philip St.
8.13.08, Burgundy St. & Ursulines Ave.
8.14.08, Bienville St. & Royal St.
8.15.08, 900 St. Louis St.
8.16.08, Dumaine St. & Royal St.
8.16.08, Bienville St. & Dauphine St.
8.17.08, 100 Iberville St.
8.18.08, attempted, 1100 N. Rampart St.
8.19.08, 500 Bienville St.
8.23.08, 300 Loyola Ave.
8.24.08, Commerce St. & Girod St.
8.24.08, 800 S. Peters St.
8.24.08, Kerlerec St. & P8.ER St.
8.28.08, Iberville St. & Burgundy St.

Car break-in
8.03.08, S. Rampart St. & Canal St.
8.06.08, Poydras St.
8.07.08, Bienville St. & N. Peters St.
8.09.08, 600 Gov. Nicholls St.
8.11.08, 800 Howard Ave.
8.11.08, Burgundy St. & Toulouse St.
8.14.08, 1000 Elysian Fields Ave.
8.14.08, 100 Burgundy St.
8.14.08, 1500 Poydras St.
8.15.08, 500 St. Louis St.
8.15.08, 500 St. Louis St.
8.15.08, 1000 Poydras St.
8.16.08, 200 N. Peters St.
8.17.08, 600 St. Philip St.
8.21.08, 700 N. Rampart St.
8.21.08, Dauphine St. & Barracks St.
8.23.08, 700 Bienville St.
8.23.08, 100 Burgundy St.
8.23.08, 100 Conti St.
8.24.08, 400 Burgundy St.
8.24.08, 100 Baronne St.
8.24.08, 900 Toulouse St.
8.26.08, 1000 Barracks St.
8.26.08, 400 Julia St.
8.28.08, 1500 Poydras St.

SPECIAL REPORT: Crime in the French Quarter crippling tourism

Crime has gotten so bad in the French Quarter that there's a danger tourists will start to think twice before vacationing here.

That's according to a major player in the city's hotel industry who sent an urgent email last week to City Councilman James Carter (pictured), whose district includes the French Quarter and who chairs the council's Criminal Justice Committee.

The hotel magnate--who's on first name basis with the councilman--tells Carter: "I believe it is at a point where it will be affecting commerce and I have told the hotels I am involved with to warn guests to be careful.

"There was a time when as long as the tourist stayed on the river side of Rampart, they were safe. Now I am not sure that there is a safe place in the Quarter."

The situation is so dire, he pleads, that "we need to do something before someone (a tourist) gets killed."

Already, hotel occupancy is well below the rosy numbers often touted publicly by tourism officials.

This hotel guru--who has links to most, if not all, of the biggest hotels in the city--says, "Despite what you may read in the paper as it relates to occupancy in the area hotels, it is all false. Most are still running at somewhere between 50% and 60% occupancy for the year."

That means, plainly and simply, not as many tourists are coming to New Orleans as generally portrayed in the media.

He acknowledges that "we have a city with an image problem as it currently stands, but the French Quarter is still sellable," but adds, "We can't afford to let it slide any more."

Then he asserts what we've all long suspected about the NOPD covering up crime in the French Quarter: "I don't think the 8th District can keep the situation under the table too much longer."

(In all fairness to Maj. Edwin Hosli and his crew manning the NOPD's 8th District, which includes the French Quarter, censorship and suppression of information on crime in the city comes from the very top: Big Chief Warren Riley.)

The hotelier goes on to say, "Locals, as well as others in the Greater New Orleans region, know what's going on, and do not care to play tourist as they once did because they know the area is not safe.

"Something needs to be done, and we need someone to step up in the political arena and take charge," he tells Carter, who's a candidate for Congress. "Is there anything we can do? This is not my expertise but I would be willing to contribute people and dollars to help in any way I can," he concludes. "Something needs to happen."

Now the ball is in Carter's court as chairman of the council committee directly charged with dealing with crime. It will be interesting to see how he responds to this offer of money and manpower from the private sector. It would be a great opportunity for Carter to show what kind of leader he could be in the public sector.

I've always maintained that the crime problem in the city--in the French Quarter particularly--would have a better chance of being solved if the city's moneyed and powerful interests stepped up. They were instrumental in deposing District Attorney Eddie Jordan. Now they could have a similar influence in ridding the city of crime.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Street justice does us a favor again

Who was that masked driver?: The NOPD is now saying that the 33-year-old man who was run over repeatedly by a pickup truck until he died in the Marigny Triangle was suspected in 4 recent robberies in the 8th District.

Devin Legaux, of Slidell, who was killed just before 4 a.m. on 8.10.08 at Pauger and N. Rampart streets, was suspected in these robberies:

• Julia and Commerce streets, 6.27.08, 12:45 a.m.: Suspect came up behind woman and grabbed her purse.
• Bourbon and St. Philip streets, 7.19.08, 11:30 p.m.: Suspect came up behind woman and grabbed her purse.
• 700 block of Esplanade Avenue, 7.26.08, 2:38 a.m.: Suspect pulled a gun and took purse from woman's shoulder, then fled in a late model, dark colored SUV.
• Royal and Bienville streets, 8.4.08, 11:30 p.m.: Suspect, with an accomplice, pushed the victim to the ground after victim withdrew cash from an ATM and snatched the money from the victim's pocket.

About 45 minutes before he died, police said Legaux and a buddy beat up a 28-year-old man on a bicycle delivering food in the 1400 block of Pauger (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets). After he was punched several times, the deliveryman began swinging his metal lock chain to chase them away. The duo went across the street and attacked another man who was wearing a red shirt.

That fit Legaux's modus operandi: he had numerous arrests for public intimidation, extortion, aggravated battery, resisting an officer, battery of a police officer, and threatening a public official--going back to when he was 18.

Legaux's accomplice in the earlier assaults was found hiding in a backyard 2 blocks away in the 1600 block of N. Rampart Street (near Kerlerec Street). Legaux was walking with another man when the male driver of a pickup struck him and rolled back and forth over him several times. The driver fled on northbound N. Rampart toward Elysian Fields Avenue. Legaux died on the scene.

Homicide Detective Brian Pollard is in charge of the investigation. He can be reached at 658-5300 if you have information that may help solve the case. Or you can just be glad we have one less thug on the streets to intimidate us.

Bad, and worse: We reported earlier that a man was robbed early Sunday morning (8.17.08) around 1:30 a.m. at Royal and St. Peter streets. The robbery actually occurred at Royal and St. Philip streets. But there are 2 important stories here:

Roving gangs again: The victim, who had just gotten off work as a waiter, turned off Royal and was half way down St. Philip, heading toward Chartres Street, when he was mugged by a gang of 3 young black thugs, reminiscent of the gangs that terrorized the Quarter last month.

The victim was grabbed by the one kid and swung on him out of instinct. That was when the a second hoodlum put a gun in the victim's face, while a third one stood lookout. They took his messenger bag, money, wallet, a wireless card, his uniform for work and other small things.

Hear no evil, see no evil...: As bad as that was, this might be worse. While the robbery was going on, the victim said a desk clerk from the Chateau Hotel at St. Philip and Chartres Street was outside and witnessed the crime. But instead of doing anything, he went back inside and didn't even call 911.

The next day, the victim went to the hotel and spoke with the manager and told her about the clerk's indifference. The manager told him that she would speak to the clerk and get his version of the story, but that the hotel's management doesn't encourage employees to get involved in things that happen outside of the hotel.

Many who have to be out late at night walking the streets of the Quarter often plan their route to go past stores that are open, bars that are brightly lit, and hotels where desk personnel can view the street. But this method of trying to insure their safety is now suspect.

Mayhem in the Marigny: If Devin Legaux hadn't been run down and killed 3 days earlier, it would be easy to suspect him in this robbery too. On 8.13.08, a 22-year-old woman from New Jersey and the man she was with, also 22, were walking on Royal Street near Touro Street just after 2 a.m. when 2 men, one with a chrome-plated pistol, got out of a dark-colored SUV and demanded the couple's purse and wallet. The victims surrendered them, along with a cellphone.

Just a couple of weeks earlier, a woman was robbed of her purse in the 700 block of Esplanade--just a couple of blocks from this latest crime and at about the same time--by a thug who fled in a dark-colored SUV, just as described in this case. Legaux, who was killed 8.10.08, was suspected of that robbery.

Ebony & Ivory: A 31-year-old black woman sitting on the porch at 2010 Burgundy St. (between Touro and Frenchmen streets) at about 4 a.m. Tuesday (8.19.08) was accosted by a white man and a black man, who was armed with a pistol. He put the gun to her head and demanded her property. She gave up her wallet and the 2 hoodlums ran down Burgundy toward Esplanade Avenue.

The white guy was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap. The black guy was wearing a white T-shirt, black pants, and a black baseball cap.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

A little of what's going on

Better to be pissed off than pissed on: A resident of the 1000 block of Barracks Street (between Burgundy and N. Rampart streets) nearly became the victim of an armed robbery early yesterday morning (8.17.08) when he chastised a black teenager for urinating in the street.

The victim (a white male for whom the 8th District refused to provide an age) was returning home about 12:40 a.m. when he noticed 2 black dudes standing between 2 cars near his home. He told the black guy not to pee in the street and an argument broke out. One of the young hoodlums pulled out a pistol and demanded the victim's money. When the victim refused to give it up, the punks fled on their bicycles.

A short time later, Ofc. Charles Stamps, of the 8th District's Taskforce, apprehended the 2 at Conti and Bourbon streets. Arrested were: Willie Sorden, 18, (left) and Keith Perkins, 17, (right). Both were charged with attempted armed robbery and illegally carrying a weapon. Each is being held on $60,000 bond in OPP.

Wait, there's more: The above incident was the ONLY crime reported by the 8th District for the past week. I don't know why the 8th District is trying so hard to cover up what's happening in the French Quarter, Marigny Triangle, and CBD--except maybe it's so bad they're terribly embarrassed. But from a couple of reliable sources we've learned of these incidents:

• From a reliable source who has previously supplied us with accurate information: A friend of hers was robbed yesterday morning (8.17.08) between 1 and 1:30 a.m. at Royal and St. Peter streets while walking to his car after getting off work. She had no more information than that, but, of course, the 8th District had none.

• From an anonymous source, believed to be a NOPD officer: A black man was caught stealing a woman's purse Saturday evening at the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant near Harrah's Casino during the Saints' game. He was subdued by the patrons and bartenders until the police arrived.

Supposedly the same miscreant was caught 2 hours earlier stealing a woman's camera in Spanish Plaza, but the victim didn't press charges because she got her camera back. So the thief was let loose to strike again--within only a matter of hours.

Crackhouse can't be ignored: After we reported last week that neighbors in the Lower Quarter were distressed that Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th District, was ignoring a crackhouse at the corner of Gov. Nicholls and Bourbon streets, Deputy Chief Kirk Bouyelas, the chief of operations and Hosli's boss, stepped in.

Alerted to the problem by NOcrimeline, he wrote back: "I will make sure that Maj. Hosli is aware of the situation and your concerns," and added, "I am confident that together we can address this situation successfully."

Now that the top brass in the NOPD has been alerted, let's see what happens.

More on "Open Carry": Our report on an anonymous group advocating armed citizen patrols of the French Quarter stirred some interest. If you want more information on the legality of openly carrying firearms in Louisiana, go to this website sponsored by OpenCarry.org. It attempts to clarify the issue.

A citizen resident of the Marigny Triangle who claims to already "open carry" elaborated further in a NOLA.com forum. He says he goes out, usually between 2 and 4 a.m., patrolling his neighborhood beginning at N. Rampart Street and St. Bernard Avenue, walking toward Elysian Fields Avenue, and going down some of the side streets.

"I carry a Mossburg 500 Persuader (pistol grip) and a 12-gauge slung on my back as well," he writes. He claims in the year and a half he's been doing this, he's "stopped 2 rapes, 3 armed robberies, 2 car jackings, 2 home burgleries."

* * *

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

Thom Kahler