Not special any more?: I've noticed a sharp decline in the number of patrol cars going by my house with their blue lights flashing since Mardi Gras--which is to say, none in the last few days.
Those patrols apparently were quite effective; only 11 armed robberies in January this year versus 31 last year.
The bad guys--which had been held at bay by the blue lights--must have noticed a decline too. To wit:
- Armed robbery, yesterday (3.3.09), 1:24 a.m.: A white couple, he 37 and she 22, were walking on Kerlerec Street when they were stopped in front of 1028 (between N. Rampart and Burgundy streets) by 3 black dudes. One pulled a knife and demanded their valuables, which they surrendered.
The victimized man pursued the robbers when they fled on foot up Burgundy toward Pauger Street until one of the perps turned and pointed a gun at him, quickly diminishing his enthusiasm for the chase. The robbers proceed toward St. Claude Avenue, then turned toward Elysian Fields, before disappearing into the night.
The suspects were described as in their late teens or early 20's, one 6' tall, weighing 160 pounds, with short hair, wearing a white sweatshirt with multi-colored designs and baggy blue jeans; the other 2 were 5'10" tall, with thin builds, both wearing multi-colored sweatshirts and blue jeans.
- Armed robbery, last Saturday (2.28.09), 3:45 a.m.: Two young black men in their early 20s were walking in the 1000 block of St. Louis Street (between N. Rampart and Burgundy streets) when 2 armed black dudes accosted and demanded their money. The victims gave it up and the robbers fled toward Bourbon Street.
The suspects were both described as in their 20's, both 5'8" tall, both weighing 150 pounds, both wearing all black clothing--except one had a goatee.
- Armed robbery, last Wednesday (2.25.09), 9:50 a.m.: A rather dapper black man walked into the Iberia Bank, 601 Poydras St., and gave the teller a robbery note and implied he had a weapon. The teller gave him the loot and he departed through the Camp Street exit, headed for Natchez Street on foot.
The suspect was described as an older gentleman, 5'6" to 5'7" tall, medium build, wearing a tan jacket and pants, a cream colored shirt, and a tan driver's cap. No word whether the red dye in the money packet ruined his sartorial ensemble when it exploded.
- Pursesnatching, Monday (3.2.09), 11:50 a.m.: Two white women were walking in the 700 block of Union Street (near Carondelet Street) when a black guy came up from behind. He grabbed both women's purses, but managed to pull only one of them free from the women's grasp.
He fled up Carondelet toward Poydras Street while a concerned citizen gave chase and retrieved the victim's purse.
The robber was described as in his 40's, 5'7" tall, weighing 160 pounds, wearing a dark jacket and jeans.
- Violent robbery, Mardi Gras night (2.24.09), 11:15 p.m.: A white guy celebrating the waning hours of Carnival was attacked by a gang of 4 black punks while standing at Bienville Street and Exchange Place (between Chartres and Royal streets). They struck him, knocking him to the ground, then took his driver's license and bank card from his pocket.
When they attempted to flee, officers arrived on the scene and apprehended all 4 hooligans. But because 3 were only 16 years old and the other 15, we won't know their names until they strike again when they turn pro at 17. Or until they kill someone.
- Gunshots fired, last Saturday (2.28.09), 12:34 a.m.: Police found a 21-year-o
ld Hispanic man wildly firing a pistol into the air in the 700 block of Kerlerec Street (between Royal and Bourbon streets) near the R-Bar. Although he tried to flee when he saw the cops, they caught up with him.
They charged Romeo Alvarez with illegally carrying a weapon and with illegal use of a weapon. His bond was set at $20,000, but he was freed the next day on his own recognizance by Magistrate Harry Cantrell.
Suppose Judge Cantrell would do that if it happened in his own neighborhood? And where do you suppose those bullets came down? Not near a tourist from Boston, I hope.
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Thom Kahler
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