Who's the man in the mask?

Could be a killer on the loose: It's a scary thought, but that Mardi Gras masker next to you at the parade could be one of the suspected killers running the streets of the French Quarter.

It took the cops more than a week to round up Nathaniel Payton after his alleged victim croaked, but it took Payton less than 2 days to make bond on a 2nd-degree murder charge and leave the not-so-friendly confines of Central Lockup.

Why? Could it have been that Magistrate Gerald Hansen set his bond at only $220,000 on a murder charge? By contrast, the 2 juveniles arrested in the French Quarter murder last month are being held without bond--even though they turned themselves in. And a guy just charged with attempted murder (see below) had his bond set at $250,000; when Payton was charged with only attempted murder, his bond was $75,000.

Makes you wonder if there aren't some wrinkled robes in Orleans Parish.

Payton, 26, posted a surety bond around 5 p.m. last Thursday (2.19.09) and walked out of OPP, free until his next court date on 4.18.09. Payton had been free on a $75,000 bond since last 8.2.08 when he was arrested for allegedly pumping 7 or 8 gunshots into Cyril Roussel, 34, around 3:40 a.m. at the corner of Bienville and Decatur streets. Roussel clung to life for 6 months before succumbing to his wounds 2.9.09 at Interim LSU Public Hospital where he had been hospitalized since being gunned down. The coroner said he died from the gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.

Payton isn't the only suspected killer roaming the streets. As far as we know (the police are tight-lipped on arrests of juveniles), cops still haven't caught up with 16-year-old Shateek Howard who escaped custody 2.11.09 and is a suspect in a murder last fall Uptown.

He may be lurking in the Iberville Housing Project where he last lived. Howard escaped from custody when he bolted while being escorted from Juvenile Court in the 1400 block of Loyola Avenue. He made a beeline for Canal Street, just a hop, skip, and jump from his last known address in the 1400 block of Iberville Street.

Howard is described as 5'11" tall, with a thin build, dark brown skin, and wearing a white shirt and black pants. Police consider him "dangerous and possibly armed."

He is suspected of murdering Darrielle Rainey, 18, and shooting Brandon Tucker, 19, in the 1900 block of Amelia Street on 9.21.08. He allegedly pumped several shots into each of the youths as they sat in a car in the Uptown neighborhood.

What's the argument?: It's hard to believe the 2 workers at Fiorella's Cafe were arguing over who had the best chicken in town because, according to many, Fiorella's does, hands down.

But Joshua Roden, 20, and a co-worker got into an argument of some sort early Saturday (2.21.09) morning around 2:30 a.m. at the restaurant at 1136 Decatur St. According to the police, Roden struck the victim several times. When the 2 were separated, the victim noticed he had a cut on his neck from the fight. He didn't know what he'd been cut with, but restaurant kitchens being what they are, take your choice.

Roden was arrested and booked with attempted 1st-degree murder. He is being held on a $250,000 bond in Central Lockup.

It's a strange charge in a case like this (unless there's more to it the police aren't revealing), since a charge of aggravated battery is more common. That's what Payton (see above) was initially charged with and a bond of $75,000 set--after he allegedly shot a guy 7 or 8 times.

Tourist trapped: A local would know better, but a white woman was walking in the 300 block of O'Keefe Avenue (near Union Street) around 3:15 a.m. Friday (2.20.09) when a man came up and offered to give her directions to her hotel. Then he pushed the woman and grabbed her purse, pulling it from her grasp.

The robber was described as a dark-skinned male, possibly Asian, 5'7" tall, weighing 155 pounds, and wearing all dark clothing.

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

Thom Kahler

Murder suspects rounded up

Jailed at last: Just before midnight last night (2.17.09), NOPD officers booked Nathaniel Payton into Central Lockup on a charge of 2nd-degree murder.

Payton, 26, had been floating around town on a diminutive $80,000 bond since being charged with attempted murder after a shooting last summer.

His case caused a public uproar after he was initially charged with only aggravated battery although cops said he pumped 7 or 8 gunshots into Cyril Roussell, 34, on 8.2.08 around 3:40 a.m. at the corner of Bienville and Decatur streets.

Roussell clung to life for 6 months before finally succumbing to his wounds 2.9.09 at Interim LSU Public Hospital where he had been hospitalized since being gunned down. The coroner said he died from the gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.

Now Payton is being held in OPP on $220,000 bond awaiting his first appearance in court on 4.18.09 on the 2nd-degree murder charge.

Homeless homicide: NOPD detectives last night (2.17.09) also arrested a man in the murder of a homeless man who died of his wounds a week after being stabbed.

Dale Pigford, 59, was arrested shortly after 8 p.m. at his home at 2415 Columbus St. He was charged with 2nd-degree murder and is being held in OPP on $500,000 bond awaiting a court hearing on 4.18.09.

He was charged for the murder of Gary Sing, 44, who was stabbed in the back on 1.30.09 after an alleged argument with Pigford at S. Claiborne Avenue and Gravier Street.

Sing checked himself into University Hospital, where he died 2.6.09. The coroner ruled his death a homicide as a result of the knife wound.

Still at large: The NOPD still hasn't caught up with the 16-year-old boy who escaped custody last week and is a suspect in a murder last fall Uptown. He may be lurking in the Iberville Housing Project where he last lived.

Shateek Howard escaped from custody last Wednesday (2.11.09) around 10 a.m. when he bolted while being escorted from Juvenile Court in the 1400 block of Loyola Avenue. He made a beeline for Canal Street, just a hop, skip, and jump from his last known address in the 1400 block of Iberville Street.

He is described as 5'11" tall, with a thin build, dark brown skin, and wearing a white shirt and black pants. Police consider him "dangerous and possibly armed."

Howard is suspected of murdering Darrielle Rainey, 18, and shooting Brandon Tucker, 19, in the 1900 block of Amelia Street on 9.21.08. He allegedly pumped several shots into each of the youths as they sat in a car in the Uptown neighborhood.

Updated info: You might want to check the details on some of the crimes we reported Monday. There are some major discrepancies between what was reported from Chief Warren Riley's office and the actual reports from the 8th District. The local district reports were delayed until Tuesday due to the funeral for Maj. Edwin Hosli's son on Monday.

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

Thom Kahler

Murderers on the loose

Too close for comfort: The NOPD thinks a 16-year-old black boy who is suspected of murder may be hiding in the Iberville Housing Project--the popular criminals' gateway to the French Quarter.

Shateek Howard escaped from custody last Wednesday (2.11.09) around 10 a.m. when he bolted while being escorted from Juvenile Court in the 1400 block of Loyola Avenue. He made a beeline for Canal Street, just a hop, skip, and jump from his last known address in the 1400 block of Iberville Street.

He is described as 5'11" tall, with a thin build, dark brown skin, and wearing a white shirt and black pants. Police consider him "dangerous and possibly armed."

Howard is suspected of murdering Darrielle Rainey, 18, and shooting Brandon Tucker, 19, in the 1900 block of Amelia Street on 9.21.08. He allegedly pumped several shots into each of the youths as they sat in a car in the Uptown neighborhood.

Also still on the run is Nathaniel Payton, 26, who is now wanted for 2nd-degree murder after the man he allegedly shot 8.2.08 at Bienville and Decatur streets, Cyril Roussell, 34, died last Monday (2.9.09). The coroner ruled the victim's death was the result of the gunshot wounds and classified the death as a homicide.

Payton, who was initially charged with aggravated battery and eventually attempted 2nd-degree murder after a community outcry, had no trouble putting up the puny $80,000 bond set by Magistrate Rudy Gorrell.

Foot patrol aids capture: A white man walking near Toulouse and Royal streets last Thursday (2.12.09) around 11:09 p.m. was accosted by a black guy who tried to grab money from his pocket. As the suspect fled up Royal toward Canal Street, the victim hailed 2 NOPD officers who were on foot patrol on Bourbon Street.

They broadcast a description of the suspect over the police radio and officers quickly apprehended Byron Millet, 28, and charged him with attempted simple robbery. He is sitting in OPP on $80,000 bond (hmmm...the same as the guy charged with attempted murder--see above).

Must have been some fancy duds: A white guy walking near Bourbon and St. Philip streets around 1 a.m. Saturday (2.14.09) was jumped by a gang of 4 black thugs who said they wanted his shirt. When he refused, they beat him up, knocked him to the ground, and took his money, his shirt, and his shoes, before fleeing on foot up Bourbon.

One of the perps was described at 22 to 23 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans (no wonder he wanted to upgrade); the other 3 hoodlums were only described as in their early 20's.

Who let the dogs out?: Hundreds of dogs turned out for the Barkus Parade on Sunday (2.15.09) and nary an unkind bark was heard. But let 2 curs (and their keepers) collide on the Moonwalk and all hell breaks loose.

A white man out for a walk along the river on his 36th birthday with his dog was near Dumaine Street when he encountered a gang of Hispanics. The man's dog and a dog belonging to one of the Hispanics began fighting. The man pulled a knife to try to defend his dog and did finally manage to pull his pooch away from the alien's mongrel. As he tried to leave the area, the gang surrounded him and one of the Hispanic's pulled a knife of his own and stabbed the victim in the left side.

His attacker was only described as 6'3" tall and weighing 230 pounds.

Black on black crime: Can't say anymore it's just white folks who are getting robbed:

• Sunday (2.15.09): A 21-year-old black woman was walking on Iberville Street near Dorsiere Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets) around 5:30 a.m. morning when a black dude came up behind her with a gun and robbed her of her purse.
  

The robber was described as 30 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a blue and gray windbreaker and blue jeans.

• Monday (2.16.09): A 34-year-old black woman had just parked and locked her car in the 500 block of Madison Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets) around 1 a.m. morning when a black guy came up and stuck a gun in her back and demanded her car keys. He fled in her car.

The suspect is described as 5'10" tall, with shoulder-length dreadlocks, and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Let us know about rapes: A 22-year-old white woman who fell asleep in her car in a parking garage at 501 Convention Center Blvd., behind Harrah's Casino, was awakened about 7:38 a.m. this morning (2.16.09) by a black man who got in her car and forced her to perform sexual acts.

Residents of the 8th District are already distraught by such acts, because they just learned today of a rape that happened over a week ago just after midnight on 2.8.08 at Bourbon and Ursulines streets.

Rapes rarely get reported in the media because while the initial report goes to the local NOPD district, the Sex Crimes Squad then takes over and their information stays out of the public pipeline. But it's understandable how residents would want to know if there's a rapist running amok in their neighborhood.

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

Thom Kahler

Crimes in December

We've compiled the latest list of crimes reported during December, 2008 in the 8th District (French Quarter, Marigny Triangle, CBD) as listed on the NOPD's crime map, which gives the dates, locations, and the time the crimes occurred. Click here for the list. The comparison of crimes this year versus last year has also been updated on the list to the right.

Tragedy upon tragedy

Maj. Edwin Hosli's youngest child, his 11-year-old son, Jacob, passed away in his sleep early Thursday (2.12.09) morning. His son reportedly had a heart condtion doctors discovered recently which would require surgery, but they didn't think it was urgent. Visitation is Monday (2.16.09) at St. Louis Cathedral from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a funeral mass at 1 p.m. Your prayers for Maj. Hosli and his family would honor a good man and a good cop.

Maj. Hosli, commander of the 8th District, is no stranger to tragedy. His father, Sgt. Edwin Hosli Sr., was gunned down in the line of duty as a K-9 officer on New Year's Eve 1972 while searching for the sniper who killed 4 other NOPD officers while perched on the roof of the Downtown Howard Johnson's. Edwin Jr. was 12 years old.

Murder suspect on the loose: Some good news and bad news for Nathaniel Payton. The good news is: The guy Payton apparently wanted dead last summer--cops say he pumped 7 or 8 gunshots into the guy--now is. The bad news is: The NOPD will now charge Payton with murder--when they catch up with him again.

Cyril R. Roussel, 34, who was shot 8.2.08 around 3:40 a.m. at Bienville and Decatur streets died Monday (2.9.09) at Interim LSU Public Hospital where he had been hospitalized since being gunned down. The coroner said he died from the gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide.

After the shooting, a witness pursued the alleged shooter on Clinton Street to Iberville Street toward N. Peters Street. As the perp crossed N. Peters, the witness flagged down a passing NOPD K-9 unit which apprehended the suspect at Bienville and Front streets and recovered the weapon allegedly used in the crime.

Payton, 26, who has drug arrest after drug arrest, going back to nearly the turn of the century, was arrested.

When he was charged initially with only aggravated battery, the neighborhood was in an uproar which was all over TV. Eventually, Payton was charged with attempted 2nd-degree murder.

By that time, Magistrate Rudy Gorrell had already set a measly $80,000 bond on him, which Payton easily paid and got out of jail. He has been roaming the streets of the city ever since.

The "scam" that wasn't: Last week, emails circulated by 2 prominent attorneys implied that NOPD officers were somehow in cahoots with hookers in the French Quarter and were rolling tourists.

The attorneys were a little short of due diligence and should have quizzed their cohort more thoroughly before sounding the alarm. In essence, the conclusion is that this was another case of tourists too intoxicated to tell what was going on.

After an investigation by the NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau, this is what they found, as reported by Maj. Hosli in his own words:

"This...is in reference to a recent email that has been circulating about an individual known as Alex (a young attorney from Knoxville, TN). I’ll have to admit that after reading this email, I was deeply disturbed and troubled regarding its contents. The email contained very serious criminal allegations against members of the NOPD and members of the 8th District.

"In the email, Alex allegedly stated through a third party that he was victimized by an elaborate criminal scam while on a recent visit to New Orleans. The email claims that he was approached by 2 females while in the elevator of the Ritz-Carlton. He believed these females were, in fact, prostitutes, who stole his wallet from him while he was in the elevator. He then dropped his jacket and informed the staff that he was just robbed. According to Alex, 2 New Orleans police officers appeared almost immediately and surrounded him and begin to browbeat him about soliciting prostitutes. When this failed, the 2 officers retrieved his wallet (allegedly from the prostitutes), and had him removed from the hotel.

"Because the allegations involved police officers, the investigation was handled by the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau. After conducting a preliminary investigation, the PIB discovered that the story in the email was captured on the Ritz-Carlton’s surveillance video.

"On the surveillance footage, a gentleman believed to be Alex is seen coming into the lobby of the hotel carrying a drink. He appeared visibly intoxicated and even ran into the door. He was followed by 2 females who entered behind him and it appeared that they were attempting to converse with him. Alex, the 2 females and another hotel guest entered the elevator. Alex is then seen getting off the elevator by himself. He is observed approaching the Front Desk Clerk, appearing to be very irate. He was throwing his hands up and frantically patting and searching his pants as if he lost something. Alex then throws some of his belongings on the front desk and is then observed walking back towards the elevator. He exited on the ground floor, not wearing his jacket, and was apparently attempting to locate the 2 females.

"The investigators discovered that Alex removed his jacket and threw it on a chair in the lobby prior to getting on the elevator and going downstairs. Once the hotel security staff became aware of the incident, they located Alex’s wallet in his jacket pocket. This discovery was made by a female hotel security officer and not a New Orleans police officer. The police were called by hotel security and did not appear almost immediately as stated in the email. It was also learned that Alex was asked to leave the hotel by the management because of his belligerent behavior and intoxicated state.

"While the email cites this instance and asserts that New Orleans police officers are working with prostitutes to shake down tourists, it could not be further from the truth. Video documentation clearly shows that Alex’s wallet was not taken by anyone. Hotel security found his wallet in his jacket, which he threw on the ground. The alleged theft of his wallet is baseless.

"Moreover, the accusations that New Orleans police officers were a part of this theft are totally unfounded. I am deeply concerned that one individual, through the use of the internet and email, can spread unsubstantiated and unverified mistruths about the New Orleans Police Department.

"It is my belief that based on the video footage, our officers acted in a proper and professional manner. I can assure you that misconduct in any form will not be tolerated as long as I am commander of the 8th District. Thank you for taking the time to learn the facts regarding this incident before rushing to judgment."

Hasta la vista, baby: A young punk, suspected of robbing several bars in and around the French Quarter just before Christmas of 2007, is going away for 25 years--for another armed robbery Uptown.

Terrell Anderson, 19, was sentenced by Judge Camille Buras to 25 years in prison "without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension." He was found guilty by a jury last September of armed robbery with a firearm.

The robbery he was convicted of involved a 58-year-old man who was robbed in front of his house in Hollygrove. Anderson wasn't prosecuted on the charge he robbed John Paul's bar on Elysian Fields. He was also suspected in the robbery of Cosimo's bar at Burgundy and Gov. Nicholls streets and The John at Burgundy and Frenchmen streets.

Anderson's adult criminal record goes back to when he was 17 and arrested several times as a drug dealer.

The community won't miss him. He's a nice looking boy--he'll make lots of new friends in Angola.

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

Thom Kahler

Crime returns to town

Another homicide?: Depending on which side of S. Claiborne Avenue the victim was on when he was stabbed depends on whether the 8th District has notched its second homicide of the year.

The coroner's office ruled the death of a homeless man on Friday (2.6.09) at University Hospital a homicide. Gary Sing (pictured) died 2 days short of his 45th birthday.

He was stabbed in the back at S. Claiborne and Gravier Street a week earlier (1.30.09), though the NOPD hasn't released any crime report indicating the circumstances, location, or probable suspect. Not like the treatment Wendy Byrne's murder got 2 weeks earlier.

Hard way to get a ride: A guy with an apparent penchant for other people's vehicles has been nabbed again.

On Friday (2.6.09), a guy making a delivery in the 800 block of Decatur Street (between St. Ann and Dumaine streets) left his keys in his vehicle as he went into a business. As he came out, he saw a black dude get in his car and when he tried to stop him, the would-be robber slugged the owner with his fist and drove off.

After crashing into several parked cars, the suspect got only 2 blocks before hopping out of the car and taking off running on St. Philip Street toward N. Rampart Street.

8th District officers soon caught up with Calvin Brown Jr., 17, and charged him with simple robbery and simple battery, and, oh yeah, hit and run driving. He is being held in OPP on $80,000 bond.

Just last December, the DA refused to prosecute him for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and for possession of a stolen auto.

Violence in the Upper Quarter: A variety of mayhem ushered in Carnival season early Saturday (2.7.09) in the touristy part of the French Quarter:

• 5 a.m.: A black restroom attendant in a business in the 100 block of Bourbon Street near Canal Street (trying to figure out what business there is so fancy) was robbed of all his tip money by 2 white guys who cornered him in the restroom.

One perp was described as 5'8" tall, with a stocky build, clean shaven, and wearing a dark-colored Tommy Hilfiger jacket; the other was described as 5'9" tall, with a medium build, clean shaven and short hair.

• 5:38 a.m.: A 31-year-old black guy was jumped by a gang of the brothers at Bourbon and St. Louis streets. He was cut on the head and chest by what was believed to be a broken beer bottle and was taken by ambulance to Tulane Medical Center for treatment. The victim could give no description of his attackers.

• 9:40 a.m.: A couple was walking in the 200 block of Royal Street (between Bienville and Conti streets) when a black guy coming the other way slapped the man's girlfriend on the butt. The boyfriend took umbrage and got into an argument with the assailant (seems an appropriate word) who then allegedly pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed the boyfriend in the back of his neck.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was reported in stable condition. A crowd detained the alleged perp and police arrested Byron M. Johnson, 37, who was charged with aggravated battery and simple battery. Apparently the crowd beat the crap out of him and he was hospitalized for 3 days, since he wasn't booked into Central Lockup until late Tuesday (2.10.09) night.

The wages of sin: A number of bad guys met their fate in court this past week:

• Dameon J. Brown, 23, pled guilty to first-degree robbery and was sentenced to 3 years in prison without parole or probation by Judge Karen Herman. He was charged with robbing a man 8.9.08 at Dauphine and St. Louis streets.

• Jules A. Wise, 21, pled guilty to simple robbery and was given a 6-year suspended sentence by Judge Lynda Van Davis, who put him on 5-years probation and ordered him to go to drug court. He was charged with robbing a man at Bourbon and St. Ann streets 11.16.08 and with prostitution and criminal trespass.

• Kyle S. Brown, 22, (the sheriff never managed to get a picture of him) was found guilty by Judge Laurie White of aggravated assault with a firearm upon a police officer. He is out on $50,000 bond until his sentencing 3.2.09.

Brown was originally charged with attempted murder of a police officer after pointing a gun at an Orleans Parish Sheriff's deputy and another officer in January last year in a parking lot in the 100 block of Conti Street. The deputy shot Brown after he refused to drop his weapon and Brown was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

• Christopher Nabonne, 18, was found guilty by a jury on charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault with discharge of a firearm. He is awaiting sentencing 3.6.09 by Judge Karen Herman.

He and an accomplice went gunning last May for a black dude in Chris Owen's Club on Bourbon Street but wound up shooting his girlfriend instead as they were leaving the lounge.

Show up: What with all that's going on in the French Quarter, don't forget 2 important meetings this week:

• Thursday (2.12.09): The monthly meeting of NONPAC (New Orleans Neighborhood Policing Anti-Crime Council) at 5:30 p.m. at the Maison Dupuy Hotel, 1001 Toulouse St. (at Burgundy Street).

• Saturday (2.14.09): The "Buffa's Bunch", an ad hoc group of residents formed after Wendy Byrne's murder which has been successful in getting the attention of City Council members and the top brass of the NOPD, meets at noon at Buffa's Lounge at Esplanade Avenue and Burgundy Street.

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

Thom Kahler

Rogue cops redux?

Maybe, maybe not: A series of emails, purportedly written by a prominent local attorney, are making the rounds, warning of what might be a scam involving NOPD officers and ladies of the night.

The attorney who wrote the email first learned of it from his daughter and then spoke directly to the victim, who is a friend of the attorney's family. Efforts to confirm the authenticity of the email have been unsuccessful, but it has the ring of truth to it.

The detailed scenario, involving a situation early last Saturday morning (1.31.09) at the Ritz-Carlton, went like this:

A young lawyer from Knoxville, TN, (ironically in town to attend a seminar on defending the police when they are accused of a crime) was returning to the hotel after a night of revelry following a Hornets' game. As he entered the elevator to go to the second-floor lobby, 2 black women jumped into the elevator and started groping him, asking if he wanted their services. He brushed them off and exited into the lobby, where he discovered his wallet containing about $300 had been lifted from his jacket pocket and yelled he'd been robbed.

Almost immediately, 2 NOPD officers (cops are posted in the Ritz-Carlton?) confronted him, screaming at him, and accusing him of soliciting the women. He denied it and asked them to review the tape from the elevator's security camera; they said they did and it showed what they said. They handcuffed him as a ranking female officer arrived, telling him they would take him to jail unless he confessed to soliciting prostitution.

When it became apparent the lawyer would refuse to incriminate himself, one of the cops all of a sudden found the man's wallet, minus the cash he said was in it. Then the 3 officers escorted the lawyer to his room to evict him with the aid of several Ritz employees, who put his luggage outside on the curb.

The attorney who wrote the email, served 3 years as a NOPD officer, and says has a well-founded suspicion of corruption among officers on the force from first-hand experience. He had the young lawyer speak directly with Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to tell his story. Then Goyeneche called the attorney who wrote the email.

"He did not think that the police were part of the scam," he said Goyeneche concluded. "However, he strongly believes that the police reacted the way they did to avoid having to report a robbery in the 8th district."

Considering the number of 8th District officers who've been charged with shaking down citizens, it sounds preposterous that they would go to such lengths just to avoid reporting another robbery in the 8th District. But, then again, considering how crime stats have been manipulated recently, it's altogether plausible.

Now the young lawyer from Knoxville just wants to forget the horrors of his trip to New Orleans. And without his testimony, this story will likely die uninvestigated.

Another incident: The same attorney in the same email relayed another incident very similar to to this that happened outside of Galatoire's not too long ago, though the date wasn't specified.

In that case, a friend of his from Nashville, TN, was leaving the restaurant alone after "having had a nice dinner and plenty to drink" when 3 women surrounded him and then claimed he had pinched one of them. Again, NOPD officers responded almost immediately and arrested the man, despite his protestation that he had done nothing wrong and was being falsely accused.

He was kept in jail overnight, and when his wallet was returned the next day, all his cash and credit cards were missing.

What now?: Obviously, there's a pattern here that your friends and visitors should be warned of--and you yourself leery of. Perhaps the "loss prevention" guys at the big hotels might want to be more vigilant. And the NOPD brass might want to explain how these officers could be so quick on the scene.

Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th District, was forwarded this email. He said he finds it hard to believe this is taking place. But he has forwarded the emailed allegations to the NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau to investigate.

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

Thom Kahler

Still some crime around

Not 100% fool-proof: Despite the NOPD's major new strategy for dealing with crime in the French Quarter, not all the bad guys have gotten the memo. There have been hardly any incidents in the past couple of weeks, but these 2 cases stand out:

• Monday (2.2.09) 3:38 a.m.: A 59-year-old white man walking in the 100 block of Exchange Place (just off Canal Street) was approached by a black panhandler who wasn't patient enough for charity. The black guy told the victim he had a gun, then punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground, and took his wallet containing cash and a debit card, then fled on foot.

The robber is described as in his 30's, 5'9" tall, medium build, with a dark complexion and pock marks on his face, wearing a leather jacket.

• Wednesday (1.28.09), 6:50 a.m.: A white man walking up 1300 block of Burgundy Street (between Esplanade Avenue and Barracks Street) was stopped by 2 black men in a silver-colored SUV who played the "we be the cops" scam on him. They asked to see his identification and when he pulled out his wallet, the guy in the passenger seat grabbed it while the driver sped off toward Esplanade, turning toward the river. (By the way, it works both ways: Unless they're in uniform, ask to see any so-called "cops" ID too.)

Both robbers were described as 25 to 30, the driver had a dark complexion, short hair, and wearing a white jacket with dark horizontal stripes; the passenger was 6' tall, thin build, with a dark complexion, short hair, and wearing a red T-shirt and dark pants.

Arrest in serial robbery: 8th District Det. Sean McElrath nabbed a suspect Thursday (1.29.09) in a robbery over a week earlier in the 400 block of Natchez Street. Booked with armed robbery with a firearm is Jerome Jones, 18. He is being held on $150,000 bond in OPP.

In the robbery Jones is accused of, a white guy getting out of his car at 1:30 a.m. on 1.20.09 on Natchez Street (between Magazine and Tchoupitoulas streets) when he was accosted by 2 black dudes who pulled guns and demanded his car keys and money. The victim complied, but the dummies couldn't get the car started, so the victim took off running to Tchoupitoulas, heading for Canal Street. Several minutes later, he saw the guys who robbed him scoot pass on Tchoupitoulas toward Canal driving a white Kia Spectra, which had been stolen at Natchez and Camp streets just minutes after he was robbed.

Still at large is Jones' alleged accomplice, who was described as 18 to 20 years old, 5'9" tall with a thin build, short hair, and dark complexion, and wearing a dark-colored hoodie.

Jones has previous arrests last year for heroin possession and illegally carrying a weapon. Judge Julian Parker let him out on his own recognizance without having to post bond last November on the drug charge and the DA refused to prosecute him on the weapons charge.

Some just don't learn: Most of us have favorite bars we go to, but most of us go when they're open. Not so John Petrie.

On 1.26.09, Petrie pled guilty to burglarizing the Dragon's Den Social Aid and Pleasure Club, 435 Esplanade Ave. not once, but twice, within a week's time last November.

Judge Julian Parker, apparently trying to give a break to a 37-year-old man just days away from his 38th birthday, sentenced John D. Petrie III to a 3-year suspended sentence on each count, sending him instead to drug court for presumed rehabilitation.

But just one week later, on Monday (2.2.09), the bartender at the Dragon's Den heard noises coming from the bar area around 9:40 a.m., before the bar was open. When 8th District cops showed up, they found Petrie behind the bar and arrested him for burglary of a business. They also charged him on a warrant for another burglary on the previous Friday (1.30.09).

I have a question: How does he keep getting into the Dragon's Den uninvited?

Finally gets his due, sort of: The guy believed responsible for a reign of terror around Burgundy, Gov. Nicholls and Barracks streets just before Christmas a year ago, is going away for a few years.

After 3 charges of armed robbery were wrangled down to one over that span, Alvin Berfect pled guilty to one count of armed robbery after the DA agreed to drop the other 2 and not charge him as a repeat offender.

Judge Robin Pittman sentenced the 19-year-old hoodlum to 10 years in prison.

Berfect is believed to have been the robber who held up Cosimo's bar, 1201 Burgundy St., in the early morning on 1.23.07 and then robbed 2 men that night in the 900 block of Gov. Nicholls Street and another man about a half hour later in the 900 block of Barracks Street.

Just not worth it: Albert Davis Jr., 48, is going away for 5 years for something seemingly simple, except robbery is robbery.

Judge Lynda Van Davis sentenced him last week after he pled guilty to the single charge after the DA agreed not to charge him as a career criminal--Jefferson Parish already took care of that a couple days earlier.

Davis was charged with pickpocketing after he ran up and grabbed an envelop containing $1,340 out of guy's pocket around 4 p.m. in a parking lot at Decatur and Toulouse streets on 4.12.08. The victim chased him and caught up with him, holding him for the police.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Riley gets religion

Anti-crime strategy--finally: It was all some could do to bite their tongues and keep from saying, "What took you so long?" as Police Chief Warren Riley professed to citizens congregated at Buffa's Lounge on Saturday that we all would see the lights--flashing blue lights on patrol cars as part of a new strategy the NOPD has embraced as a way of dealing with crime in the French Quarter.

Many residents for many years tried to get the NOPD to see the errors of its ways--not using flashing lights on patrol cars and not having officers on foot as deterrents to crime. Like a new convert, Riley on Saturday abandoned his mantra of blaming the NOPD's inadequacies on "not enough men" and ceased chanting that crime has gone down; no one believed those blasphemies anyway.

Instead, Riley, accompanied by high-ranking acolytes (Asst. Chief Marlon Defillo, Chief of Operations Kirk Bouleyas, Maj. Bernadine Kelly of the 5th District, and Maj. Edwin Hosli of the 8th District) plus numerous minions, outlined for the denizens of the 8th District the changes he has embraced since the first of the year.

Many are skeptical of just how long these efforts will last--and rightfully so, considering past failures once the furor has died down. No one has been more critical of Riley in the last couple of years than NOcrimeline, but I, for one, am willing to believe his conversion is genuine.

No one knows why it took him so long to see the light, or what prompted it other than a rampaging crime rate, but we will see if efforts are successful when the next crime figures are released at the end of March. A significant reduction in robberies would, in deed, be a blessing.

New way: Here is what the NOPD is doing to curb crime in the Quarter. (These notes are cribbed from a memo Stephen Swain, president of Patio Planters, passed along from a meeting Riley, Hosli and Bouleyas had with the M.O.M. group on Friday. Most of the items were repeated for the Buffa's bunch on Saturday.).

The NOPD began developing these plans late in 2008 and early January; implementation was hastened by the murder of Wendy Byrne on 1.17.09 at Gov. Nicholls and Dauphine streets in the Lower Quarter:

• Added 17 officers to the 8th District (which patrols the Quarter, CBD and Marigny Triangle), which now has a contingent of 133 officers. The goal is to increase the total to 150 officers by June.
• Divided the 8th District into 4 segments to better manage patrol coverage.
• Trained 8 officers to operate the motorscooters for a more visible patrol.
• Initiated a new policy that no more than 2 officers plus 1 supervisor can be in a restaurant at the same time (even if the officers are from other districts) to avoid the perception the entire NOPD is out to lunch.
• Take a pro-active approach to stopping suspicious individuals.
• Establish a vice unit strictly to deal with prostitution and drugs in the French Quarter.
• Provide "hot sheets" for citizens to fill out to identify areas of illegal activity or where potential problems might occur.
• Purchased 2 new paddy wagons to use as "holding cells" so officers to not have to go to Central Lock-up after each arrest.
• Designated undercover officers to work with FBI agents to curb drug trafficking.
• Assigned a patrol car to exclusively monitor the Marigny Triangle.
• Instituted walking beats for every patrol officer, which means each officer must park his patrol car for one hour some time during his shift and patrol his area on foot.
• Suggested to officers that they make "positive contact" with citizens while on patrol.
• Outfitted each police car with an AVL device to monitor their location.
• Added an additional 10 to 12 reserve officers to help patrol in the Quarter on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
• Decreed that no more than 2 officers are permitted to congregate on any one corner.
• Required each officer to sign a "Supervision and Accountability" form to acknowledge that he knows where he is to patrol and will not leave that area without a supervisor's permission.

Calling the cops: To better access communicate with the officers who serve you, you can contact:

• Maj. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th District, at ehosli@cityofno.com. (This goes to his Blackberry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.)

• Quality of life officers, who handle such things as streetlights out, abandoned cars, trash accumulating, etc.:

• Ofc. Roger Jones, nopolice29@yahoo.com, or in emergencies only, call 201.1520.
• Ofc. Colin Munster, cmunster@cityofno.com.

What citizens should do:

• Install a light outside your house. (A Vieux Carre Commission permit is required for a new light, but the director of the VCC say such permits will be fast-tracked and hassle-free. Submit a tearsheet or photo of several styles of simple "down lights" or historically appropriate wall sconces for the commission to review).
  

• Fix existing lighting. If you need of assistance with this, email Chuck Ransdell at m.o.m.fqmt@gmail.com and he will arrange free assistance.

• Install a security camera. There are reasonably priced ones available. Go to www.QuarterSafe.com for suggestions.

• Report suspicious activity at 911. This gives the NOPD cause to stop and question suspicious people. Without a complaint, the police could be accused of "profiling."

• Report curfew violations. Monday through Thursday, the curfew for kids under 17 (not accompanied by an adult) is 9 p.m., and on weekends 11 p.m. (The police have the right to stop anyone suspected to be underage and ask for an ID.)

What went unsaid: In the near euphoria over the NOPD's baptism into the problems of the French Quarter, one thing that wasn't heard--at least at the Buffa's confab--was the "fear of crime."

Usually there's a lot of chatter about being afraid to venture out in the Quarter, but not among this group, not this time.

Perhaps Riley's assurances a new leaf had been turned over gave these residents hope that, indeed, crime would abate. Perhaps it is the residents' enthusiastic participation in mustering the bigwigs in charge that makes them feel empowered against crime.

And another thing: The Buffa's bunch, while not formally named, more or less calls itself "Lower Quarter Citizens Against Crime." That's not to be confused with "Lower Quarter Crime Watch," and that's a shame, some say.

"We're trying to do what they should be doing--but without the high fee," says one organizer, pointing out that crime watch members pay annual dues in the hundreds of dollars--and for that they get an off-duty cop who patrols 4 hours a night.

Maybe it's time for the LQCW to rethink how it fights crime. Maybe it's time for them to embrace this group of eager residents who could lend their enthusiasm.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Crimes in January

We've compiled the latest list of crimes reported during January, 2009 in the 8th District (French Quarter, Marigny Triangle, CBD) as listed on the NOPD's crime map, which gives the dates, locations, and the time the crimes occurred. Click here for the list. The comparison of crimes this year versus last year has also been updated on the list to the right.

Crimes reported: January 2009

This is a list of the crimes reported during January, 2009 in the 8th District (French Quarter, Marigny Triangle, CBD) as listed on the NOPD's crime map, which gives the dates, locations, and the time the crimes occurred.

Murder
1.17.09 7:51 p.m., Dauphine St. & Gov. Nicholls St., shooting

Armed robbery
1.02.09 3:38 a.m., 100 Exchange Alley
1.04.09 8:17 p.m., 1400 Bourbon St., gun
1.12.09 12:53 a.m., 200 Burgundy St., carjacking
1.12.09 12:53 a.m., 200 Burgundy St., carjacking
1.17.09 7:49 p.m., 800 Gov. Nicholls St., gun
1.18.09 10:00 a.m., 400 Girod St., gun
1.20.09 1:30 a.m., 400 Natchez St., gun
1.20.09 1:37 a.m., Camp St. & Natchez St., carjacking

Simple robbery
1.10.09 9:00 p.m., Frenchmen St. & Decatur St., pursesnatching
1.13.09 2:15 a.m., 700 Toulouse St.
1.24.09 4:20 p.m., 300 Burgundy St., attempted pursesnatching
1.24.09 4:25 p.m., 200 Burgundy St., attempted
1.24.09 9:40 p.m., 200 Chartres St., pursesnatching
1.28.09 6:50 a.m., 1300 Burgundy St.

Assault & battery
1.01.09 4:00 a.m., 1000 Chartres St., aggravated assault
1.03.09 3:08 a.m., 200 Bourbon St., aggravated battery
1.10.09 1:40 p.m., 200 Bourbon St., aggravated battery

Burglary
1.12.09 5:00 p.m., 2100 Burgundy St., residence
1.14.09 12:00 p.m., 800 Touro St., residence
1.14.09 12:35 p.m., 800 Touro St., residence
1.18.09 1:30 a.m., 200 Girod St.
1.18.09 5:30 a.m., 900 Tchoupitoulas St., business
1.25.09 10:00 p.m., 300 Chartres St.
1.26.09 9:30 a.m., 1000 Constance St., business

Theft
1.01.09 12:15 p.m., 300 Camp St.
1.01.09 12:30 a.m., Bourbon St. & Iberville St., pickpocketing
1.01.09 1:20 a.m., Bourbon St. & St. Louis St., pickpocketing
1.02.09 1:26 a.m., 200 Bourbon St., pickpocketing
1.02.09 5:30 p.m., 1600 Canal St.
1.02.09 5:50 p.m., 400 Canal St., shoplifting
1.02.09 6:00 p.m., 1600 Canal St.
1.03.09 5:00 a.m., 1600 Canal St.
1.04.09 11:08 p.m., 300 Bourbon St., pickpocketing
1.04.09 1:10 a.m., 900 Bourbon St., pickpocketing
1.04.09 9:49 p.m., 600 Bourbon St.
1.05.09 12:45 p.m., 600 Dumaine St.
1.06.09 7:59 p.m., 100 Royal St., shoplifting
1.07.09 11:30 p.m., 300 Bourbon St.
1.07.09 3:00 p.m., 600 Canal St., shoplifting
1.07.09 4:35 p.m., 800 Canal St., shoplifting
1.08.09 5:27 p.m., 500 Canal St.
1.09.09 9:33 a.m., 300 Julia St.
1.12.09 11:45 p.m., 300 Bourbon St.
1.13.09 12:25 p.m., 1000 Canal St., shoplifting
1.13.09 12:40 p.m., 500 St. Ann St., shoplifting
1.13.09 8:00 p.m., 400 Bourbon St., shoplifting
1.14.09 3:23 a.m., 800 Tchoupitoulas St.
1.14.09 4:22 p.m., 500 S. Rampart St.
1.14.09 4:22 p.m., 500 S. Rampart St.
1.15.09 1:50 a.m., 300 Bourbon St., pickpocketing
1.17.09 11:00 p.m., 500 Decatur St.
1.17.09 8:45 p.m., 600 Dauphine St., pickpocketing
1.18.09 12:27 a.m., 700 St. Peter St.
1.18.09 2:30 p.m., 600 Decatur St.
1.19.09 12:05 p.m., 700 Iberville St.
1.19.09 3:50 a.m., 400 Bourbon St.
1.20.09 11:15 a.m., 200 Carondelet St.
1.20.09 2:45 a.m., 400 Bourbon St.
1.21.09 6:45 p.m., 300 Canal St., shoplifting
1.22.09 10:00 a.m., 200 Baronne St.
1.23.09 2:30 a.m., 500 Gravier St.
1.23.09 6:30 a.m., 300 Chartres St.
1.23.09 9:45 a.m., 400 Poydras St.
1.24.09 11:59 a.m., 700 Toulouse St., shoplifting
1.24.09 12:01 a.m., Bourbon St. & St. Louis St.
1.24.09 12:06 a.m., Canal St. & Bourbon St., pickpocketing
1.24.09 3:20 a.m., 400 Bourbon St., pickpocketing
1.26.09 1:00 p.m., 900 Canal St., shoplifting
1.26.09 1:20 a.m., 200 Poydras St.
1.27.09 11:00 p.m., 300 Bourbon St.
1.27.09 12:30 a.m., 900 St. Louis St.
1.28.09 11:00 a.m., 400 Bourbon St.
1.29.09 1:07 a.m., 2100 St. Claude Ave.

Auto theft
1.01.09 1:00 p.m., 600 Dauphine St.
1.01.09 3:30 a.m., 300 O'Keefe Ave.
1.01.09 7:45 a.m., Tchoupitoulas St. & Andrew Higgins St.
1.01.09 7:45 a.m., Tchoupitoulas St. & Andrew Higgins St.
1.03.09 10:30 p.m., 500 Iberville St.
1.06.09 12:15 p.m., 700 O'Keefe Ave.
1.07.09 2:00 p.m., 900 Union St.
1.07.09 6:00 a.m., 300 Dauphine St.
1.08.09 12:30 a.m., Canal St.
1.09.09 12:01 a.m., 1000 Conti St.
1.10.09 4:00 a.m., St. Charles Ave. & Poydras St.
1.10.09 9:00 p.m., St. Peter St. & Dauphine St.
1.11.09 12:15 p.m., 700 S. Peters St.
1.11.09 1:30 a.m., 1200 N. Peters St.
1.11.09 9:00 a.m., Poydras St. & Loyola Ave.
1.11.09 9:15 p.m., Clara St. & Perdido St.
1.16.09 8:30 p.m., 500 Baronne St.
1.16.09 9:00 p.m., 800 Burgundy St.
1.17.09 11:45 p.m., 1100 N. Peters St.
1.17.09 4:00 a.m., Cleveland Ave. & LaSalle St.
1.18.09 3:00 a.m., Iberville St. & Exchange Alley
1.19.09 10:00 a.m., Ursulines Ave. & Burgundy St.
1.19.09 4:30 a.m., 700 N. Rampart St.
1.21.09 11:45 a.m., O'Keefe Ave. & Girod St.
1.22.09 11:52 p.m., 600 Andrew Higgins St.
1.25.09 11:30 a.m., 900 Bienville St.
1.25.09 2:30 a.m., 400 Natchez St.
1.26.09 12:00 p.m., 2100 Burgundy St.
1.28.09 10:00 a.m., Tchoupitoulas St. & Calliope St.
1.28.09 3:15 p.m., 800 Magazine St.
1.29.09 9:00 p.m., S. Rampart St. & Julia St.
1.30.09 10:00 a.m., 500 S. Rampart St.
1.30.09 9:07 p.m., 900 Julia St.

Car break-in
1.01.09 7:00 a.m., 600 Commerce St.
1.01.09 8:10 a.m., 600 Commerce St.
1.02.09 10:30 p.m., Andrew Higgins St. & Constance St.
1.02.09 12:30 p.m., 600 Commerce St.
1.02.09 1:30 a.m., 500 Tchoupitoulas St.
1.03.09 6:46 p.m., 600 Commerce St.
1.05.09 3:00 a.m., 1300 Canal St.
1.05.09 5:37 a.m., 1000 Bienville St.
1.08.09 12:01 a.m., 1000 Iberville St.
1.08.09 1:00 a.m., Royal St. & Frenchmen St.
1.09.09 11:15 a.m., Iberville St. & Burgundy St.
1.10.09 1:30 a.m., 1000 Poeyfarre St.
1.10.09 9:20 p.m., 800 Gravier St.
1.12.09 1:00 a.m., 800 Conti St.
1.12.09 3:00 a.m., 300 Andrew Higgins St.
1.13.09 12:15 p.m., 400 Loyola Ave.
1.15.09 1:00 a.m., Notre Dame St. & Tchoupitoulas St.
1.18.09 10:30 p.m., 500 Iberville St., attempted
1.18.09 12:25 a.m., 1000 Poe Dr.
1.18.09 6:30 p.m., 800 Iberville St.
1.19.09 4:00 p.m., 1000 N. Peters St.
1.19.09 8:00 p.m., 100 Conti St.
1.23.09 4:22 p.m., 900 Gov. Nicholls St.
1.24.09 7:30 p.m., 900 St. Charles Ave.
1.26.09 2:30 a.m., 1000 St. Charles Ave.
1.27.09 7:30 p.m., 100 Burgundy St.
1.29.09 6:20 p.m., 200 N. Peters St.
1.30.09 11:08 p.m., 500 Carondelet St.