The heat is on

Another day, another citizens' group: It's been a foregone conclusion among residents for a long time that the French Quarter is too dangerous and the NOPD too inept to do anything about it.

Now--in the wake of Wendy Byrne's murder almost 2 weeks ago--it seems citizens are mad as hell and aren't going to take it any more.

Just short of taking up torches and pitchforks, they're sitting down in meetings to stand up to the powers-that-be to vent their anger and frustration.

It's hard to count them all, but let's see: there was a meeting at Buffa's Lounge last Friday of vociferous locals, a vigil and march the following night, a meeting at Maison Dupuy on Monday night that no one seems to know who called it, another vigil the next night, a press conference today by a parent group called M.O.M representing virtually every organized group in the Quarter, another residents' meeting at Buffa's set for Saturday. Anyone left out?

The danger is that all these splintered groups can mount only a fragmented effort to solve a major problem. The strength is that the number of groups mobilizing will make it undeniable that citizens of this city can't be pushed any further. The problem is we have to endure for another year a mayor who just doesn't care, and he's the boss of a police chief who just doesn't have a clue of what to do.

If M.O.M's not happy, nobody's happy: Today's confab, monikered "Meeting of the Minds" (M.O.M) and honchoed by Chuck Ransdell, is the latest effort to budge the city and state to recognize that the French Quarter is the goose laying the golden egg of tourism.

In letters to both Gov. Jindal and Mayor Nagin, the group states the obvious: "The inadequacy of a police presence evenly dispersed throughout the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle provides fertile ground for the criminal element to prey on residents and visitors alike, particularly on the picturesque, less heavily trafficked residential streets. The tourism industry and the tax revenues of the State and the City of New Orleans suffer whenever a violent crime occurs in the French Quarter or Marigny Triangle."

In the letter to Jindal, the group says: "We ask you to please send State Police patrols to protect the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle. We also ask you to please continue the patrolling until such time as the city demonstrates the capability to provide and maintain frequent, visible patrols on every block in the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle. In addition, as there may be funding opportunities for these law enforcement needs in the federal economic stimulus package currently being considered by Congress, we ask that you work with our congressional delegation to pursue all avenues for federal assistance."

In the letter to Nagin, the group tells the mayor that New Orleans needs the same crimefighting strategy that New York used to clean up Times Square, saying it demands "that the City promptly engage in a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy which includes the following services for the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle:

"1) Zero-tolerance for criminal conduct;

"2) Adequate police presence, including frequent, visible patrolling of every block in the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle by foot as well as vehicle--even if the city must request assistance from the governor for State Police patrols;

3) Repair and upgrade of all public street lighting (in the French Quarter consistent with Vieux Carre Commission guidelines);

4) Monitoring working police cameras strategically placed in and around the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle;

5) Zero-tolerance of graffiti, pan-handling, loitering, hustling and public urination;

6) Repair of public infrastructure, particularly streets and sidewalks;

7) Timely towing of all vehicles illegally parked around street corners and on sidewalks, or that block driveways or business entrances;

8) Seeking funding opportunities for these law enforcement and infrastructure needs in the Federal economic stimulus package currently being considered by Congress;

9) Quarterly and annual reports to the undersigned and the public at-large on progress made on the foregoing list of demands; and

10) Include representatives of the undersigned in the development of the city's comprehensive crime-fighting strategy for the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle for the implementation of the foregoing list of demands."

Of course, in their optimism, they'll have to assume Gov. Jindal will some day return from Presidential politics across the country to immerse himself in Louisiana's problems, and that Mayor Nagin will have to give a you-know-what instead of just taking one. I'm not that optimistic.

Riley rips one: Big Chief Warren Riley attended MOM's meeting but didn't speak until after it, when he stunk up the place by telling reporters that crime is down significantly since last year. He might be referring to 2009 over 2008--but who knows? The NOPD's crime maps only record up to Jan. 14 this year.

If you compare 2008 versus 2007, robberies are up over 11% from 186 in 2007 to 197 in 2008. Assaults declined by only 4, from 82 to 78. Thefts jumped from 1,262 to 1,282. Burglaries stayed static: 143 each year (what are the odds of that?). Auto thefts showed a slight decline from 545 to 513 (but that's almost 10 a week!).

Then he had the audacity to tell them that with 1,500 officers now, his force could protect the entire city. But he admitted being baffled "too much juvenile crime"--the very thing that brought down Wendy Byrne.

Buffa's bash: The ad hoc grassroots group that planted itself at Buffa's Lounge (Esplanade Avenue and Burgundy Street) last week will be back at noon on Saturday (1.31.09), and supposedly Chief Riley and Maj. Hosli, among others, will be their to hear their liturgy of gripes.

Slow justice: A juvenile court judge won't decide until 2.25.09 whether to try Ernest Cloud, 14, as an adult in the death of Wendy Byrne. His two 15-year-old buddies are going to play with the big boys.

Scooter boogie?: Some residents expressed alarm when they said they saw the motorscooters from in front of the 8th District HQ being loaded up and shipped out of the Quarter. They were worrying that the NOPD might be trying to hide their lack of use.

Not so, says Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th. The scooters were hauled to where the Traffic Division is conducting a 3-day class for 9 officers on how to use them effectively.

Narcs on the prowl: You're not likely to notice them, but the 8th District has undercover officers on foot every night in the Lower Quarter.

They're targeting anyone suspicious loitering on stoops and calling in Task Force officers in marked cars if they find narcotics on them.

Lighten up: Some residents have practically made a hobby of counting the streetlights in the Quarter that aren't working.

Not to worry, says Mary Cunningham in Councilman Carter's office. She says the city's contractor is working on a list compiled from citizens' complaints to 311 and that the Department of Public Works expects all lights to be fixed and glowing by Mardi Gras (2.24.09).

I hope that includes the one I reported on 1.5.08--before Mardi Gras LAST YEAR. (It's case #2023392, in case you want to make me happy.)

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

Thom Kahler