SPECIAL REPORT: Rebuilding the NOPD

In a 15-page document entitled, "Rebuilding the New Orleans Police Department–First Steps," NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas today (8.23.10) announced the creation of a sweeping plan to greatly enhance the safety of neighborhoods throughout the city by changing the very culture of the NOPD.

Serpas began with 10 principle statements that will provide overall guidance to the NOPD, and contains 65 specific points that, in a very direct way, mandate accountability for each and every employee of the department. (The complete document was emailed to NOcrimeline subscribers.)

At the same time, the department is committing itself to restoring the confidence and trust of New Orleans' families by working closely with individual neighborhoods throughout the 8 police districts to reduce crime and improve quality of life.

"This is a no-nonsense plan that integrates, many for the first time, a number of law enforcement best practices in the New Orleans Police Department," Serpas said. "Many of these programs have been or are being implemented; others will take effect in the coming months.

"New Orleanians expect me to restore their faith in this police department," said Serpas. "It is a responsibility that I take very seriously, which is why this plan repeatedly emphasizes the clear expectation that NOPD's rank and file will work to understand neighborhood problems at the grassroots level and work collaboratively to address those problems.

"The 65-point plan is broken down into four categories: Crime Fighting, Community Outreach and Transparency, Integrity-Accountability, and Hiring-Training-Labor Relations.

Key issues identified among the 65 points include:

• The establishment of Community Coordinating Sergeants (CoCos) in each of the 8 districts who are responsible for developing relationships with Neighborhood Watch Groups and businesses.

• The establishment of Narcotics Investigation Teams in each district to attack street level drug issues.

• Revise the hiring standards of the NOPD to seek candidates who meet the highest standards of education, experience and show the greatest potential to succeed as police officers.

• The NOPD and Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau have reached an agreement to provide Leadership Training to Police Sergeants and Lieutenants at Louisiana Army National Guard facilities.

• The NOPD and Col. Mike Edmonson, State Police commander, are collaborating on a complete overhaul of NOPD annual In-Service Training and Recruit Training programs for 2011 and beyond.

• Prohibit officers from accepting "cash" payments for police-related secondary employment.

• Presumptive termination for any employee who makes a materially false statement with the intent to deceive.

• Presumptive termination for any employee, who knowingly makes, or causes to be made, a false or inaccurate oral or written report of an official nature.

• A new failure to report misconduct policy to hold employees accountable to report observed misconduct, or be sanctioned at a minimum to the conduct observed but not reported.

• A new failure to cooperate/withhold information policy. Absent a legal cause, it is a violation punishable in addition to the underlying allegation to fail to cooperate/withhold information.

• The establishment of a Violent Criminal Abatement Team.

• Supplying fingerprint kits and training to all patrol officers so that key fingerprint evidence at crime scenes can be collected and used to prosecute offenders.

• The establishment of an expanded and revitalized Citizen Police Academy.

• The creation of a Citizen Advisory Panel.

• The establishment of an EI Protector Program to engage the Hispanic/Latino community.

"This 65-point plan will put us on the road toward a more professional police department and a safer New Orleans," Serpas said. "But this is only a start. There will be much, much more to do even after the full implementation of all 65 points."

"I recognize there will be those in the police department who will disagree or object to some of these points," Serpas said. "They must understand that this plan is in the best interest of this city, the citizens we serve and the professionalism of our officers.

"If anyone cannot embrace these needed changes, we will replace them with dedicated police professionals who will."

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

Thom Kahler

3 out of 4 ain't bad

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (8.8.10)

6:21 a.m.: Auto Burglary, 520 Dauphine
10:48 a.m.: Theft, 555 Canal
6:58 p.m.: Theft, 721 Bourbon
10:33 p.m.: Armed Robbery, 800 Iberville

Monday (8.9.10)

9:14 a.m.: Theft, 228 Poydras
12:06 p.m.: Shoplifting, 134 Royal
12:13 p.m.: Auto Theft, 200 Girod
2:37 p.m.: Theft, 800 Tchoupitoulas
3:06 p.m.: Theft, 314 St Joseph
4:37 p.m.: Auto Theft, 400 Notre Dame
9:55 p.m.: Auto Theft, Andrew Higgins & Annunciation

Tuesday (8.10.10)

9:47 a.m.: Theft , 500 Fulton

Wednesday (8.11.10)

7:52 a.m.: Theft, 1615 Poydras
2:09 p.m.: Shoplifting, 945 Magazine
4:04 p.m.: Theft, 800 Canal

Thursday (8.12.10)

1:57 a.m.: Auto Theft, 700 Orleans
8:11 a.m.: Pursesnatching, S Rampart & Union
3:39 p.m.: Auto Theft, Poydras & Tchoupitoulas
4:38 p.m.: Theft, 623 Frenchmen
9:33 p.m.: Auto Theft, 100 Conti

Friday (8.13.10)

9:33 a.m.: Shoplifting, 134 Royal
2:52 p.m.: Theft, 901 Bourbon
8:53 p.m.: Theft, 200 Poydras

Saturday (8.14.10)

2:27 a.m.: Simple Robbery, Orleans & Royal
8:35 a.m.: Shoplifting, 134 Royal
10:26 a.m.: Auto Theft, 210 O"Keefe
11:04 a.m.: Theft, 441 Bourbon
3:19 p.m.: Auto Theft, Girod & Tchoupitoulas
4:31 p.m.: Auto Theft, Julia & Tchoupitoulas
5:19 p.m.: Auto Theft, 1420 Burgundy
9:56 p.m.: Theft, 124 Royal

Putting the brakes on another bike bandit: 8th District detectives last Thursday (8.12.10) positively identified and arrested Calvin Robinson as the culprit in an armed robbery in July.

Robinson, 21, was already in OPP after being arrested on 8.1.10 for 2 other armed robberies in June.

The armed robbery the 8th District detectives claim the collar for is one that happened 7.16.10 around 2:20 a.m. in front of 1014 Ursulines Ave. when a black dude rode up on his bicycle and robbed a woman at gunpoint. He was described as in his 20's, with short hair, and wearing a white polo shirt and black shorts.

At that time, detectives said they believed this robbery was related to one that happened a few days earlier on 7.13.10 in the 1700 block of Pauger Street in the Marigny Triangle. In that case, the robber got the wallet of a 27-year-old man at gunpoint around 11:02 p.m. before fleeing on a red and white mountain bike. The thief was described as in his mid-20's, 5'10' tall, wearing a dark shirt and tan shorts.

There's no word whether detectives have linked Robinson as a suspect in that case. But in case they do, they'll probably find him still sitting in OPP; he's being held on $550,000 bond.

Pursesnatchers bagged: In 3 pursesnatchings in the past week--with the robbers working in pairs in 2 cases--8th District cops managed to bag 2 of the robbers, breaking up their tandem tag teams:

• Sunday (8.15.10) 9:15 p.m.: A white woman of undetermined age sitting in the Krazy Korner bar, 640 Bourbon St., had her purse snatched not once, but twice.

Two black dudes came up to her and one grabbed her purse from her lap. As he fled out the door of the bar, he dropped the purse and the victim attempted to retrieve it. Then the second jumped into action and tried to take the purse from the victim again, but she resisted and the second thug fled.

Officers soon caught up with the second guy, Ronald W. Gordon Jr., 20, and charged him with pursesnatching and 2 counts of simple battery. He's sitting in OPP on $15,000 bond while his buddy is running free.

• Saturday (8.14.10) 3:15 a.m.: Two white guys victimized a 27-year-old white woman walking near Orleans Avenue and Royal Street when they grabbed her purse and fled.

Police arrested Richard M. Dennis, 21, and retrieved the victim's purse from him. He managed to post $15,000 bond a couple of days later and got out of OPP. His accomplice is still on the lam.

• Thursday (8.12.10) 8:10 a.m.: A 56-year-old white woman managed to out-tug a young black thug and hang onto her purse. The thug struck as she was walking near S. Rampart and Union streets in broad daylight. He tried to grab her bag from her grasp, but she hung on and managed to maintain control of her purse. The outwitted nitwit fled in a white Jeep Cherokee which zoomed up S. Rampart toward Poydras Street.

He was described as 5'7" tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a thin build, wearing a white polo shirt and khaki pants.

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

Thom Kahler

Bad guys back at it

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (8.1.10)

Theft: 200 Bourbon
Aggravated Assault: 900 Burgundy
Auto Theft: Dauphine & St Philip
Theft: 233 Chartres
Theft: Bourbon & Dumaine
Auto Theft: Andrew Higgins & Tchoupitoulas

Monday (8.2.10)

6:22 a.m. Auto Theft: 210 N Rampart
8:12 a.m. Simple Burglary: 1036 Esplanade
9:05 a.m. Auto Theft: Burgundy & Iberville
1:15 p.m. Auto Burglary: 500 Madison
2:39 p.m. Theft: 717 Orleans
3:01 p.m. Shoplifting: 917 Decatur
4:47 p.m. Business Burglary: 900 Convention Center
5:17 p.m. Auto Theft: 275 LaSalle
9:18 p.m. Aggravated Assault: 301 St Joseph

Tuesday (8.3.10)

4:13 a.m. Theft: Constance & St Joseph
2:20 p.m. Theft: 1900 St Claude
10:54 p.m. Auto Theft: 900 Decatur

Wednesday (8.4.10)

5:20 a.m. Theft: 911 Burgundy
3:30 p.m. Auto Theft: 600 Carondelet
4:06 p.m. Shoplifting: 937 Decatur
5:15 p.m. Theft: 421 Loyola
5:44 p.m. Theft: 881 Convention Center

Thursday (8.5.10)

12:18 a.m. Simple Robbery: Bourbon & Iberville
4:51 p.m. Theft: 819 Conti
7:05 p.m. Simple Robbery: 700 Bourbon
7:55 p.m. Theft: 923 S Peters

Friday (8.6.10)

10:26 a.m. Car Jacking: 1000 Annunciation
11:35 a.m. Auto Burglary: 1736 McShane
3:21 p.m. Theft: 636 Tchoupitoulas
6:25 p.m. Auto Burglary: 1034 Dauphine

Saturday (8.7.10)

12:30 a.m. Aggravated Assault: 240 Decatur
1:24 a.m. Armed Robbery: Commerce & Notre Dame
4:46 a.m. Theft: 441 Bourbon
5:39 a.m. Auto Theft: St Charles & Union
9:34 a.m. Auto Theft: 100 Conti
12:58 p.m. Simple Robbery: 700 St Philip
4:07 p.m. Theft: 801 Decatur
8:28 p.m. Theft: 1104 Canal
10:38 p.m. Purse Snatching: Bourbon & St Louis
10:40 p.m. Auto Burglary: Girod & O'Keefe

Murder in the Marigny?: How could a guy be beaten to death in broad daylight near Washington Square Park in the Marigny Triangle and no one see it? Nor report it to the NOPD?

Homicide detectives are saying Ryan Trosclair (pictured on left), 35, was likely beaten and killed near the park (bounded by Frenchmen Street and Elysian Fields Avenue, and Dauphine and Royal streets) between 4 and 7 p.m. on 7.22.10, which they say is the last day anyone saw him alive.

It was not until 2 days later that someone called 911 around 6:30 a.m. from someone who found the charred corpse in a field in New Orleans East.

The lead homicide detective, Andrew Packard, speculated Trosclair was the victim of a drug deal gone bad near the park.

Wouldn't you think the homicide squad would clue the 8th District in on this? Apparently they left the 8th District out of the loop.

Trosclair, of Slidell, grew up in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans and had been arrested a couple of times on drug charges. The victim's stepfather said Trosclair had been addicted to alcohol, cocaine and heroin most of his life.

Crimestoppers has tripled the reward for finding his killer to $7,500. You may call Crimestoppers anonymously at 822-1111.

Robberies with guns: They're out there folks--be careful:

• Friday (8.6.10) 10:20 a.m.: A 26-year-old white guy was ordered out of his parked SUV in the lot of Sun Ray Grill, 1051 Annunciation St., by a black thug armed with a small, shiny semi-automatic pistol. The robber made off with the silver 2007 Acura MDX with Louisiana tag TFY 514 and the victim's wallet and cellphone too. He was last scene speeding up Annunciation toward Calliope Street.

The carjacker was described as 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with a medium build and a light mustache, wearing a green or gray T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap with the yellow letter "P" on the front.

• Saturday (8.7.10) 1:24 a.m.: Two white couples were walking near Commerce and Notre Dame streets in the Warehouse District when they were robbed by 2 black thugs. One robber held a gun on them and ordered them to drop their valuables; when they did, the second robber scooped up the loot. The thieves then fled on foot toward Canal Street.

The gunman was described as 20 to 25 years old, 5'7" to 5'9" tall, weighing 130 to 140 pounds, wearing all dark clothing; the second guy was slightly taller and heavier, also wearing all dark clothing.

• Sunday (8.8.10) 10:33 p.m.: A white couple, he 22 years old, she 20 years old--and you've got to believe they were from out of town to do something so stupid--were walking in the honky-tonk area along Bourbon Street when they met a black dude who offered to take them to a party. He lured them into a parking garage in the 800 block of Iberville Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets). Once there, the dude's black buddy pulled a pistol and demanded the young gullible couple's cash. They gave it up, the robbers fled.

Both suspects were described as 20 to 25 years old, one 6' fall, weighing 150 pounds, with short hair and a medium complex, wearing a red shirt and dark pants; the other was 6'3" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a dark shirt and dark baggy pants.

Robberies without guns: It doesn't take much to rob some folks, but in these cases, 8th District cops made 4 arrests in 2 of the cases:

• Thursday (8.5.10) 12:18 a.m.: An 18-year-old white boy made the mistake of getting into an argument a black dude on Bourbon Street near Iberville Street. It didn't take long for several of the black guy's bros to show up. One of them reached into the white victim's pocket and grabbed some cash, as all of the hoodlums raced toward Canal Street.

The incident was witnessed by an officer in the Bourbon Promenade and he gave pursuit. Apprehended were Trevonne Cargo (top), 19, Emile Young (middle), 20, and Rodney T. Johnson (bottom), 20. Cargo and Young were each charged with simple robbery and possession of hydrocodone; Johnson was charged only with 2nd offense possession of marijuana.

Cargo's bond was set at $40,000; Young's at $35,000 after the drug charge was dropped; and Johnson's at $1,000.

• Thursday (8.5.10) 7:10 p.m.: A 55-year-old white lady walking in the 700 block of Bourbon Street (between Orleans Avenue and St. Ann Street) was asked for some money by a young black boy. When she refused, he grabbed her iPhone from her hand.

He quickly found out that a Quarterite and her walkie-talkie are not soon parted. She took off after him on foot toward Orleans and caught the little bugger.

Police arrested the 16-year-old boy, a juvenile. We won't know his name until he turns pro at 17.

• Saturday (8.7.10) 1 a.m.: A 40-year-old white man walking in the 700 block of St. Philip Street (between Bourbon and Royal streets) was accosted by a gang of 3 black boys. One pushed him to the ground and the others took his wallet and cellphone before fleeing on foot.

One suspect was described as 18 to 20 years old, weighing 150 pounds, with short hair, wearing baggy clothing; another was 17 to 19 years old, 5'6", with long dreadlocks, wearing baggy clothing; and the third was simply "a black male."

• Saturday (8.7.10) 10:38 p.m.: A 21-year-old white woman was walking near Bourbon and St. Louis streets when she was confronted by 2 young punks who grabbed her purse and fled on foot on St. Louis, turning on Dauphine Street toward Canal Street.

One of the robbers was described as 16 to 18 years old, 6' tall, weighing 140 pounds, with medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a bright orange shirt; the other was 13 to 15 years old, weighing 120 pounds, with short hair.

All of these robbers sound an awfully lot alike--besides all being black. The watch word seems to be: If you're white and they're black, avoid them. It's a shame it has to come to that. Some of these black preachers that are always hooting and hollering about "discrimination" ought to get out and go to door-to-door to get the mamas to get their kids' butts in the pews on Sunday.

Unwanted man wanted: A black man who'd been 86'd from the Club Decatur, 240 Decatur St., tried to enter the forbidden chamber around 12:30 a.m. on Friday (8.6.10). When the bartender confronted him, the banned man reached into a black backpack he was carrying and pulled out a pistol, then fled on foot before any fireworks erupted.

He was described as 23 to 27 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a white T-shirt.

By Monday (8.9.10), 8th District detectives figured out the man they were looking for was Bryan Mitchell, 22, and issued a warrant for his arrest after he was positively identified from a photo lineup by the bartender. Mitchell was booked into Central Lockup this afternoon (8.10.10) just before 2 p.m.

Where he was wanted, he didn't want to stay. He was extradited to Mississippi on a fugitive warrant on 5.26.10 but found his way back to Louisiana.

Kiss and tell?: A 28-year-old black dude took better than a week to report an incident that might prove embarrassing.

Seems he met this woman earlier in the evening on Saturday (7.24.10)--he could describe her only as black with a stocky build--and took her back to his room at the Springhill Suites hotel, 301 St. Joseph St. There, for whatever reason, she pulled out a pistol and pointed it at him. Then she fled while he pondered whether to report it to police.

He finally did on 8.2.10. The police have no leads.

Who you gonna believe?: As expected, supporters of the proposed new French Quarter/Marigny "security" district think I'm downright disloyal and ignorant because I don't support their boondoggle.

So, see for yourself. I included the link to download the PDF file about the district in the last column which criticized the plan that will be voted on 10.2.10. The report is well-written and includes many graphics detailing what the proposed district is all about. Download it here, and see if you come to the same conclusions I did.

You also might want to look at a more detailed analysis of the district proposal written by Kalen Wright of Lower Quarter Citizens Against Crime. It takes exception point-by-point with the proposed district plan. Download that here.

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

Thom Kahler

Don't be fooled!

PUBLIC "SAFETY"? It's being kept under wraps for the most part, but a proposal to tax French Quarter residences and businesses masquerading in the name of "public safety" will be on the ballot in October.

Formally called "The French Quarter Marigny Historic Area Management District," the Marigny Triangle has already weaseled out of the deal (don't know how they did that since they were included in state legislation creating the concept), so that leaves the Quarter to foot the whole bill--if the district is approved by voters in October.

And that's a big bill. If passed, every residence would be taxed $185 a year to finance the district; $395 for commercial housing (e.g. apartment buildings), and $545 for bars and $15,000 for the biggest hotels. Still businesses would pay for only a little more than 12% of the nearly $1 million the district envisions raising from taxpayers. (And those numbers may go even higher to make up for the Marigny's defection from the plan.)

That means if you're a landlord, you're going to have to tack on more than $15 a month to each unit you rent to break even; if you're a renter, you better get registered to vote to keep your rent from going up by $15 or more a month.

Advocating creation of this new taxing district are people and groups who may NOT even be entitled to vote on it.

Its current board is headed by Darryl Berger, who has a hotel or two in the Quarter, but who lives Uptown.

(In fact, the hotel association gets to appoint 2 members to the 13-member board, the same number the mayor does--Berger was appointed by former mayor Ray Nagin.)

Only 5 of 13 members on the board live in the Quarter; the other 8 will not be taxed by the new district.

One of 2 major civic groups in the Quarter--French Quarter Citizens--has come out in favor of the taxing district; there's some indication that the board of VCPORA, the other major group, is opposing the district.

(Kim Rosenberg--current vice chairman of the taxing district's board, who perhaps sees a paying job for herself with the district--has extolled in an email, "If VCPORA is not willing to support the creation of the security district, I would hope the organization would remain NEUTRAL.")

Councilwomen Karen Gisleson Palmer and Jackie Clarkson are said to have endorsed the district. But why should they care? They won't be taxed--they live in Algiers.

Using fear-mongering techniques based on rising crime rates solely for the year 2009, proponents of the district say the plan "...seeks to implement a public safety program that will deploy private security officers to patrol the district 24 hours a day, every day of the year."

Like all such endeavors, a bureaucracy to manage this district (and eat up most of the tax dollars): an executive director, and an operations manager, 3 patrol supervisors, and 15 patrolmen, all of whom would be supplied by an outside contractor.

But the thing is: these rent-a-cops will have NO arrest powers if they find someone breaking the law. Instead, their duties are listed as: "Watching for public nuisance or ordinance violations, including but not limited to: aggressive panhandling; public urination, graffiti, loitering, public disturbance, blocked driveways, non-violent disputes, disruptively loud music."

Nuisances, yes; but a "public safety" program? I don't think so.

History shows these special "security" districts just aren't effective. They may have some impact, but hardly as much as they cost. Ask residents who belong to Lower Quarter Crime Watch--and pay a whopping fee to do so--how much crime in their neighborhood has been reduced. I venture to say the answer would be "not much."

If you want to read for yourself what's involved, get the report here. But be advised: this is not the final report. That will not be ready until Sept. 1 (just a scant month before the election) and may very well include bumps in the fees that will be levied if the district is approved by voters.

NOcrimeline's stance: Keep this camel's nose from getting under the tent. Give new NOPD Chief Ronal Serpas' reform initiatives time to take effect--already crime is showing a decline in 2010. And among his initiatives is a move already implemented to beef up the quality-of-life section of each NOPD district--the very tasks this new "management district" thinks it needs a million dollars a year to do. If you've got a spare million bucks lying around, dedicate it to the NOPD.

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

Thom Kahler

Beware Dauphine/Burgundy

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (7.25.10)

Simple Robbery: 200 Bourbon
Auto Theft: 600 Magazine
Auto Theft: Andrew Higgins & S Peters
Auto Burglary: Magazine & Natchez
Shoplifting: 1100 Bourbon
Theft: 201 Baronne
Theft: 700 Elysian Fields
Theft: 921 Canal

Monday (7.26.10)

Auto Theft: Fulton & Girod

Tuesday (7.27.10)

Simple Robbery: 400 Bourbon
Auto Burglary: Chartres & Toulouse
Theft: 900 Convention Center Theft: 555 Canal

Wednesday (7.28.10)

Pursesnatching: 900 Dauphine
Theft: 900 Convention Center
Auto Theft: Elysian Fields & St Claude
Auto Burglary: O'Keefe & Perdido

Thursday (7.29.10)

Auto Burglary: O'Keefe & Poydras
Theft: 902 Poydras

Friday (7.30.10)

Theft: 535 Tchoupitoulas
Theft: 214 Royal
Shoplifting: 111 Bourbon

Saturday (7.31.10)

Armed Robbery: 1001 Dauphine
Auto Theft: 555 Canal

Consider this: Considering all the crimes--robberies, purse snatchings, as well as bike thefts--being committed by crooks on bicycles, why don't the cops make a point of stopping every bicycle they see and check its registration?

The city code gives the police chief the right to license every bicycle in the city by obtaining the owner's name and address, for a $3 fee, and issuing a license that must be displayed on the bike. I'd bet there isn't a bicycle in the city with a license tag on it.

It would give the cops on patrol the right to stop any bicyclist and check them out--and maybe find weapons and warrants in the process.

And considering the number of bicycle thefts--some bikes now costing more than your first VW Bug--it would help the rightful owner establish his ownership. If a bike rider doesn't have a license, the code lets the police haul him in.

Small area targeted: Robbers are marauding into the French Quarter, attacking citizens in the 900 and 1000 blocks of Dauphine and Burgundy streets, sometimes in broad daylight.

• Saturday (7.31.10) 9:10 a.m.: A 45-year-old white woman was robbed at the corner of Dauphine and St. Philip streets by a black punk who pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. She gave it up and he fled on foot down Ursulines Avenue toward the river.

She described him as 20 to 25 years old, with a medium build, wearing a tan T-shirt and khaki shorts.

• Wednesday (7.28.10) 9:30 p.m.: Just 2 days earlier and a block away, a 41-year-old white woman was robbed of her purse at Dauphine and Dumaine streets by a black thug who pushed her to the ground and grabbed her purse.

He was described as 30 to 35 years old, 6' tall, with short hair and a light complexion, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants.

• Sunday (8.1.10) 4:45 a.m.: One block over, at Burgundy and Dumaine streets, a 34-year-old white man was accosted by a black punk who pointed a pistol at him. Before the assailant even stated his intentions, the victim grabbed the handgun and tried to pull it out of the bad guy's grasp. But the gunman fled on Burgundy toward Barracks Street.

The attacker was described as 20 to 25 years old, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

The previous week, robbers struck at Dauphine and Gov. Nicholls streets (in which a suspect on a bicycle was apprehended), and at Burgundy and St. Peter streets, a couple of blocks from these other incidents.

Ironically, all of these incidents are just a couple of blocks from where the Night Out Against Crime is being held tonight (8.3.10)--the dog park between Burgundy and Dauphine streets on Barracks Street.

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

Thom Kahler

Cops 2, crooks 2

Crimes last week in the 8th District

(Click on the crime map below to enlarge it)

Sunday (7.18.10)

Simple Robbery: S Rampart & Tulane
Auto Theft: 1300 N Peters
Auto Burglary: 820 Poydras
Theft: 817 Common
Theft: 300 Canal

Monday (7.19.10)

Auto Theft: 500 Andrew Higgins
Auto Burglary: 826 Camp
Theft: 225 Bourbon
Theft: 725 St Peter
Shoplifting: 601 Royal
Shoplifting: 800 Canal

Tuesday (7.20.10)

Simple Robbery: Chartes & St Ann
Auto Theft: John Churchill Chasr & Poe
Auto Theft: 300 Gravier
Auto Burglary: N Rampart & St Philip
Shoplifting: 839 Decatur
Theft: 823 Fulton

Wednesday (7.21.10)

Auto Theft: 300 N Peters
Auto Theft: Chartres & Toulouse
Bicycle Theft: 650 Poydras
Theft: 216 Bourbon

Thursday (7.22.10)

Armed Robbery: 1100 Dauphine
Pursesnatching: 1000 St Peter
Auto Theft: Decatur & Elysian Fields
Auto Burglary: 400 Canal
Auto Burglary: 1029 Bienville
Auto Burglary: 116 University
Shoplifting: 924 Canal
Shoplifting: 800 Canal
Theft: 300 Poydras
Theft: 2 Poydras
Theft: 1005 Canal

Friday (7.23.10)

Armed Robbery: Burgundy & St Peter
Auto Theft: 1200 Bourbon
Auto Burglary: 869 Magazine
Auto Burglary: 414 Canal
Bicycle Theft: 200 N Rampart
Bicycle Theft: 1515 Poydras
Theft: 401 Baronne
Theft: 614 Canal

Saturday (7.24.10)

Auto Theft: 700 Burgundy
Shoplifting : 717 Canal
Theft: 917 Decatur
Theft: 931 S Peters

Another bike bandit bagged: Though the description was scant, it didn't take 8th District detectives long to nab the guy they think robbed a woman at gunpoint last Thursday (7.22.10) after he swooped down on her on a bicycle.

The robber was on a small BMX-style bike when he made off with the 30-year-old woman's purse around 11:54 p.m. while she was walking on Dauphine Street near Gov. Nicholls Street. He was described as black, with a thin, build, shoulder length twists in his hair, wearing a black T-shirt.

On Monday (7.26.10) detectives arrested Lionel Hudson, 24, after he was positively identified by the victim. A profound bad boy, Hudson was charged with armed robbery and his bond was set at $300,000.

Apparently the magistrate setting the bond noted Hudson could hardly wait for the big time--his first adult arrest was just 4 days after he turned 17 when he was charged with illegal possession of a stolen auto, illegal possession of a weapon, flight from an officer and resisting an officer.

Dollars to donuts he has a long juvenile rap sheet--enough argument for summary executions of juvenile offenders.

In broad daylight: We often point out these dirty deeds happen in the wee hours. But not always. Not far away the day after the bike bandit struck, a 40-year-old woman walking on Burgundy Street near St. Peter Street was robbed on Friday (7.23.10) at 4:10 p.m. by a black punk who pulled a pistol and demanded her purse. He fled in a red Chevy truck.

The robber was described as 5'8" tall, with a medium build and gold teeth, wearing a black tank top, blue jeans, a red hat and white shoes.

Yakkity yak: "You talk too much..." Remember that song from the '60s? It seems to apply in this case:

Two more oblivious phone users had their electronic appendages ripped away by crooks. Two more down, a million or more to go.

Listen to this: put the damn phones down, stop talking/texting/apping and pay attention--attention to your fellow man, or at least your surroundings. Whatever happened to "be here now"--living in the moment?

Okay, enough rant. Here are the facts:

• Sunday (7.25.10) 12:00 a.m.: A 27-year-old guy was standing in the 200 block of Bourbon Street (between Iberville and Bienville streets) when a black dude ran up, grabbed the iPhone out of his hand, and ran down Bourbon.

The robber is described as 5'8" tall, with a bald head and dark complexion, wearing a black shirt and black pants.

• Tuesday (7.27.10) 1:13 a.m.: A 22-year-old white man was standing in the 400 block of Bourbon (between Conti and St. Louis streets) when he suffered the same fate. The robber fled down Conti.

But police soon caught up with the alleged robber, Justin R. Lewis, 18, who was charged with simple robbery when he was booked into Central Lockup on Tuesday (7.27.10) around 2 p.m.

He was another one who couldn't wait to get his adult record rolling: He was arrested less than 2 weeks after he turned 17 in 2008 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (read "auto theft"). The DA wound up dismissing the charge.

Crime walk: Never quite sure what these things are about (my son calls them "cookies against crime"). But Thursday evening (7.29.10) in every NOPD district across the city, police officers will be "walking the beat" with citizens to, I guess, show solidarity in the fight against crime.

The 8th District's walk will begin at Jackson Square at 6:30 p.m., going down Decatur Street to Dumaine Street, over to Bourbon Street, crossing Esplanade Avenue to Kerlerec Street, to Chartres Street, then left on Frenchmen Street, and disbanding at Washington Park.

Wouldn't it be great if they could get one of those embattled brass bands to lead the way?

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

Thom Kahler