What hath White wrought?

Blame this on the judge: Earlier this year when black guys on bikes were swooping down on white women in the French Quarter and terrorizing them by snatching their purses, 8th District cops finally caught one.

They think Craig Hayes, 18, robbed a woman in the 900 block of Royal Street (between Dumaine and St. Philip streets) on 4.16.10 at 9:04 p.m. They booked him with pursesnatching and Magistrate Marie Bookman set his bond at $15,000, which is pretty standard for simple robbery.

But, whoa! Along comes Criminal District Court Judge Laurie A. White--who had no apparent jurisdiction in Hayes' case--yet for some reason known only to her, reduces Hayes' bail to a personal guarantee of $10,000 and a commercial bond of $5,000 on 4.29.10. Hayes walked out of OPP on 5.4.10 with a TSAP ankle bracelet on, supposedly to monitor his where he went when.

A lot of good that did. The police say it was Hayes who rode his silver-colored bicycle on 7.23.10 around 4 a.m. up to a house in the 2600 block of Gen. Ogden Street in the Hollygrove neighborhood where he found a woman sitting on the front porch.

He demanded her money, but when she refused he grabbed her purse and forced her into the backyard. There he forced her to perform oral sex on him after telling her he had a gun. After the assault, she fled into the house and he sped away on his bicycle.

Police finally caught up with Hayes on 8.18.10 and booked him with attempted aggravated rape and simple robbery. Chief Magistrate Gerard Hansen said to hell with that, and increased the charges to aggravated rape and first-degree robbery.

He set the bond on the rape at $1 million and on the robbery at $250,000. Hayes is trying to get his bond reduced--probably without the help of Judge White this time--at a hearing 10.28.10 in front of Criminal District Court Judge Keva Landrum-Johnson.

It all goes to show: There's no such thing as a "simple" crime, and if you've got them locked up, make sure you know what you're doing before you let them out.

Why Judge White felt she needed to intervene and make it easier for Hayes to get out of jail is anybody's guess. She may not have committed the crime, but she made it possible for Hayes.

Everybody ought to remember antics like this when it comes time to elect judges. Hopefully, someone will step up and run against White so we can get rid of the likes of those who care more about criminals than citizens.

What's going on here?: And where is "here"? A sharp-eyed NOcrimeline reader wondered why the 8th District's crime map indicated a rape a week ago Sunday (10.10.10) at 1 p.m. at 632 Frenchmen St. but the crime list published by the 8th District showed a rape at that date and time at 623 Canal St. A good question with few solid answers.

Once 8th District cops take the initial report, all sex crimes go to the Sex Crimes Squad (now headed by Lt. Paul Noel, who used to be second in command of the 8th District). But the Sex Crimes Squad--despite Chief Ronal Serpas' promise this week to reopen many rape cases--supplies little information on the cases it's working, not even descriptions of predators who might be stalking the city.

The most information we could get was from Bob Young of the NOPD's Public Information Office, which was very brief. It seems a woman (no age or race given) was drinking at a bar on Frenchmen Street (no location, date, or time given) when she engaged in a conversation with a black dude. (Gee, where have we heard that before?) He offered her a ride home, but instead drove her to a warehouse at an undetermined location. He persuaded the woman to enter the warehouse under the ruse that there was a party inside. Upon entering, she noticed 2 other black dudes inside. Huh, oh! She was sexually assaulted by one or more of the men--and then was driven home.

Young said because the victim was intoxicated, cops have not been able to locate the warehouse or even narrow down a good location where the crime occurred.

That still doesn't explain how you get 2 different locations on the police reports; it might explain why there's no description of the perps--in this case.

A few robberies: Never seems to fail--always a few robberies, just enough, to spoil the week:

• Monday (10.18.10) 10:15 p.m.: A 60-year-old white man walking near Dauphine and St. Louis streets was assaulted by 2 black thugs. One struck him and knocked him to the ground, while the other dipped into the victim's pants pocket and stole his wallet.

The victim was unable to give an accurate description of his attackers.

• Saturday (10.16.10) 11:30 p.m.: A 40-year-old white man walking in the 800 block of St. Louis Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets) was accosted by a black guy who demanded money. When the victim refused, the robber reached into the victim's pants pocket and stole his wallet.

Though the suspect fled on foot toward N. Rampart Street, police caught up with Sidney Aguillard III, 41, and charged him with simple battery and simple robbery. He is being held in OPP on $35,000 bond.

• Wednesday (10.13.10) 4:15 a.m.: A 35-year-old white woman walking in the 900 block of Burgundy Street (between St. Philip and Dumaine streets) was robbed by a black guy armed with a pistol.

Detectives are checking video surveillance cameras in the area. The robber, whose face was covered with a bandana, was described as 5'8" tall, with a medium build, wearing dark clothes.

* * *
Crimes last week in the 8th District
(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)

Sunday (10.10.10)

Simple Robbery, Bourbon & Canal, 5:46 a.m.
Auto Theft, 365 Canal, 12:52 p.m.
Rape, 623 Canal, 1:00 p.m.
Auto Theft, 309 Decatur, 2:17 p.m.

Monday (10.11.10)

Auto Theft, Barracks & Dauphine, 3:34 p.m.
Auto Theft, Decatur & Madison, 4:11 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Royal & St Ann, 4:18 p.m.
Shoplifting, 901 Chartres, 5:31 p.m.

Tuesday (10.12.10)

Bicycle Theft, 1225 Chartres, 10:26 a.m.

Wednesday (10.13.10)

Pickpocketing, Cleveland & S Villere, 12:10 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 900 Burgundy, 4:18 a.m.
Shoplifting, 623 Canal, 8:12 p.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Elysian Fields, 10:40 p.m.

Thursday (10.14.10)

Theft, 500 Constance, 10:37 a.m.
Shoplifting, 907 Bourbon, 3:30 p.m.
Shoplifting, 800 Canal, 7:42 p.m.
Auto Theft, Barracks & N Peters, 7:46 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 1000 Conti, 9:04 p.m.

Friday (10.15.10)

Residence Burglary, 1000 St Ann, 8:58 a.m.

Saturday (10.16.10)

Auto Burglary, 1029 Bienville, 8:09 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 100 N Rampart, 9:02 a.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & Esplanade, 2:02 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 650 Poydras, 4:23 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 900 Convention Center, 6:52 p.m.
Theft, 725 Conti, 6:57 p.m. Theft, 301 Camp, 10:02 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 800 St Louis, 11:16 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Phones the root of all evil?

Phoning it in: The robbery rate in the French Quarter would probably be cut in half if folks would just put their iPhones in their pockets and not be distracted by blabbing or texting--3 of 4 simple robberies this past week were of iPhones:

• Monday (10.11.10) 2:30 a.m.: Police are trying to pinpoint the time and place of a cellphone robbery that the victim didn't report until well after it occurred and didn't know exactly where or when he was robbed. Police think the 30-year-old white man had his iPhone snatched from his hand by a black guy near Royal and St. Ann streets.

The robber was described as 5'8" to 5'10" tall, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt, dark jeans, and a white hat.

• Sunday (10.10.10) 5:40 a.m.: A 33-year-old white guy standing--not texting--at the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets was robbed by a black chic who, he says, came up and pulled money out of his pocket. He tried to grab her, but she pushed him and he fell to the ground as she ran down Bourbon.

She is described as 25 to 35 years old, 5'6" tall, weighing 120 pounds, wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

• Sunday (10.10.10) 10:30 p.m.: A 20-year-old white woman standing in the 500 block of Bourbon Street (between Toulouse and St. Louis streets) when a black boy came up and snatched her iPhone from her hand. He fled on foot down Conti Street toward N. Rampart Street.

The police caught up with the 13-year-old juvenile and booked him for robbery.

• Sunday (10.5.10) 8:20 p.m.: A 51-year-old white woman walking on the Moonwalk near Dumaine Street had her cellphone grabbed from her grasp by a black guy riding by on a bicycle.

He was described as having short hair and dark complexion, wearing a white hoodie and dark pants.

Temper, temper: A couple of tantrums led to the guns and knives coming out:

• Friday (10.8.10) 11:20 p.m.: Two black dudes got into an argument outside a club at Toulouse and N. Rampart streets when Jeffery McEleveen, 19, allegedly took out a knife and threatened the other guy, 27. When a bouncer from the nearby club tried to intervene, McEleveen allegedly swung the knife at both guys before fleeing on foot.

Police caught up with McEleveen and booked him on 2 counts of aggravated assault. He is in OPP on $20,000 bond.

• Sunday (10.3.10) 4:37 a.m.: A 25-year-old black guy walking in the 800 block of Iberville Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets) got into an argument with another black guy who pulled out a pistol and fired at him before fleeing on foot.

The shooter was described as 5'5" tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a medium complexion, wearing a navy blue shirt and blue cap.

* * *
Crimes last week in the 8th District
(Click on the crime map to enlarge it)

Sunday (10.3.10)

Simple Robbery, 500 Esplanade, 3:59 a.m.
Aggravated Assault, 800 Iberville, 4:36 a.m.
Auto Theft, 934 Esplanade, 12:43 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 600 St Philip, 9:40 p.m.
Auto Theft, 700 St Ann, 9:44 p.m.
Armed Robbery, 400 Julia, 10:26 p.m.

Monday (10.4.10)

Auto Burglary, 100 N Rampart, 12:15 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 100 Elk, 5:56 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 900 Convention Center, 6:50 p.m.

Tuesday (10.5.10)

Theft, 300 Canal, 7:14 a.m.
Theft, 610 Poydras, 8:01 a.m.
Theft, 843 Camp, 3:40 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Decatur & Dumaine, 8:10 p.m.

Wednesday (10.6.10)

Theft, 721 St Philip, 8:43 a.m.
Theft, 1027 Touro, 11:53 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, N Maestri & St Charles, 4:59 p.m.

Thursday (10.7.10)

Theft, 881 Convention Center, 2:40 a.m.
Theft, 900 Convention Center, 10:52 a.m.
Theft, 604 Julia, 5:53 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Iberville & N Rampart, 11:43 p.m.

Friday (10.8.10)

Shoplifting, 701 Royal, 11:00 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, 344 St Joseph, 4:39 p.m.
Theft, 8 Canal, 6:03 p.m.
Theft, 300 Bourbon, 6:25 p.m.
Aggravated Assault, N Rampart & Toulouse, 11:25 p.m.

Saturday (10.9.10)

Theft, 555 Canal, 1:56 a.m.
Theft, 200 Bourbon, 4:03 a.m.
Auto Theft, Perdido & S Rampart, 1:28 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

KILLERS WANTED

The cold case file of the NOPD holds records of the murders of at least 5 people with connections to the French Quarter whose killers are still walking around. But in at least one case, police have identified who they think the murderer is:

7.22.2010--Ryan Trosclair: "Wanted" posters began circulating last week for Francisco "Chico" Amaral, 57, whom police say is a suspect in the murder of Ryan Trosclair, 35 (left).

Police will not say why they think Amaral committed the crime, but they think he has shed his scruffy appearance (below right) by shaving his beard and head (top right), and is now located somewhere in the San Francisco Bay area. He is wanted for simple kidnapping and 2nd-degree murder.

At first, police reported Trosclair was beaten to death near Washington Square Park between 4 and 7 p.m. on 7.22.2010. Two days later, his charred corpse was found in a field in New Orleans East. Now NOPD homicide Det. Andrew Packer believes the beating occurred in the 2100 block of Chartres Street, in the Marigny Triangle between Frenchmen Street and Elysian Fields Avenue, where Amaral formerly resided. (It was in that same block that Michael Frey was murdered in 2006. See below.)

Det. Packer speculated Trosclair was the victim of a drug deal gone bad. Trosclair, who had a bevy of friends in New Orleans (nearly 800 are listed on a Facebook page dedicated to finding his killer), who lived in Slidell, grew up in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans. He had been arrested a couple of times on drug charges; his stepfather said Trosclair had been addicted to alcohol, cocaine and heroin for most of his life.

CrimeStoppers has tripled the reward to $7,500 for finding his killer. You may call CrimeStoppers anonymously at 822-1111 or Det. Packer at 784-7984 if you have information on Amaral's whereabouts.

8.11.2008--Jessica Hawk: The reward for information leading to the capture of Jessica Hawk's murderer is being increased to $25,000, according to her aunt, Denita Shedden. The increased bounty will be announced at a 3 p.m. memorial for Hawk on Saturday (10.9.10) in the park established in her name in the St. Claude neutral ground between Press and Montegut streets.

Hawk, 32, was found the morning of 8.11.2008 in her home at 3013 Chartres St. in the Bywater--about 9 blocks from where Trosclair was murdered--where she lived alone. Her nude body was propped up against a chair and had been stabbed multiple times. It is believed she may have been dead for a couple of days before her corpse was found.

About a month after her death, NOPD homicide detectives released an artist's sketch of a possible suspect in her slaying. They described him as a clean-cut white man, 25 to 35 years old, 6' tall, weighing 170 pounds. He was wearing a black crew neck jersey with elbow-length sleeves over a white shirt with 3" white cuffs. No one has been able to put a name on anyone based on that sketch.

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

6.17.2007--Chris Roberts: The trail has gone cold for the killer who gunned down Chris Roberts, 33, in the doorway of his apartment building at Esplanade Avenue and N. Prieur Street in Esplanade Ridge around 8 p.m. on 6.17.2007 and stole his prize motorcycle.

Roberts hadn't been back long from his refuge from the storm in Huntsville, AL with his wife and infant daughter. Working at Fiorella's restaurant in the 1100 block of Decatur Street instead of his beloved occupation as a motorcycle designer/mechanic, he resumed the friendships he had in the Quarter before Katrina.

Homicide detectives have shown little interest in his case and are not known to be actively investigating it. CrimeStoppers doesn't indicate whether a reward is still being offered.

1.4.2007--Helen Hill: A pre-dawn home invasion on 1.4.2007 at their home on the corner of N. Rampart and Spain streets in the Faubourg Marigny--about 10 blocks from where Jessica Hawk was murdered--left Hill dead with a bullet in her neck, her husband wounded 3 times, and their toddler son unharmed.

The murder of Hill, 36, a well-liked independent film maker, practically created a cottage industry of protesting the city's soaring murder rate. Hill was one of 6 people murdered in the city that same day, and followed by one week the slaying of well-known musician Dinerral Shavers. It was too much for the citizens of the city--anti-crime groups formed and thousands marched on City Hall on 1.11.2007, demanding action. They got hollow promises but no action.

Though CrimeStoppers is still offering a $15,000 reward, no suspects have been identified, there have been no arrests, and there seems to be no action by the NOPD.

3.19.2006--Michael Frey: The murder of Michael Frey on 3.19.2006 is believed to be the first in the NOPD's 8th District since the storm. But now, most of the news articles about him--and even tributes to him--have disappeared from the archives of the Times-Picayune and Gambit.

Frey, 28, was reportedly heading home to the Fabourg Marigny after leaving Molly's At The Market in the 1100 block of Decatur Street when he was held up in the early morning hours of 3.19.2006 in the 2100 block of Chartres Street--near where Trosclair became a victim 4 years later. Though Frey handed over his wallet as the robber demanded, the thug blasted him in the chest with a shotgun, killing him almost instantly.

The NOPD has not mentioned the case for years, and CrimeStoppers no longer lists a reward on its website for information leading to a suspect.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Too soon to tell

Who knows?: Some are saying that those vanquished in their attempt to pass a "security district" tax at the polls Saturday are already blaming the defeat for recent crimes in and around the French Quarter. It's hard to know what the proposed rent-a-cops could have done, but here's what the real 8th District cops had to deal with:

• Sunday (10.3.10) 10:20 p.m.: Two white guys in their early 20's walking in the 600 block of St. Philip Street (between Chartres and Royal streets) were robbed by 2 black thugs who pulled pistols and demanded the victims' cash. The victims gave it up and the robbers fled on foot, turning on Chartres toward Esplanade Avenue.

One robber was described as 25 years old, 6' tall, weighing 165 pounds, with a dark complexion and short hair, wearing a black Saints jersey (number?) and dark pants; no age was guessed for the second robber, 5'8" tall, weighing 180 pounds, with a dark complexion and braids pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray shorts.

• Sunday (10.3.10) 9:00 p.m.: A white couple, no age given, walking in the 400 block of Julia Street (near Constance Street) were held up at gunpoint by a black guy whose buddy stood watch. The robbers fled on foot up Constance toward Calliope Street.

The gunman was described as in his early 20's, 5'11" tall, with a medium complexion and short hair, wearing a yellow polo shirt and blue jeans.

• Saturday (10.2.10) 4:47 a.m.: Two 20-year-old white guys walking in the 400 block of Decatur Street (between Conti and St. Louis streets) were robbed when a tan Toyota Camry pulled up next to them and 2 big black dudes got out and pulled a gun on them, demanding their money. The robbers then sped off in the car toward Canal Street.

One of the thugs was described as 6' tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a light complexion and short hair; the other was 6' tall, weighing 200 pounds, with a dark complexion and dreadlocks; the driver was a black guy wearing a white T-shirt.

• Saturday (10.2.10) 4:30 a.m.: A few minutes earlier a similar thing happened to a 21-year-old white kid--he thinks. He's not sure where he was in the French Quarter, but thinks it was on Bourbon Street (the crime map shows it as "334 Royal St.", location of the 8th District station house--the location the cops use when a victim doesn't know where he became a victim). He said a car pulled up next to him and a black guy got out and pointed a pistol at him, then took all his money. The victim didn't report the crime until 1:45 p.m. for Bourbon Street-induced reasons.

He did say the robber was 6'2" tall and weighed 170 pounds.

Grab-and-go robberies: Hang on to your purses, wallets, iPhones--and even your keys--when you're walking in the Quarter:

• Sunday (10.3.10) 3:35 a.m.: A 19-year-old white woman walking in the 500 block of Esplanade Avenue (between Decatur and Chartres streets) had her purse grabbed by a white guy who fled on foot toward Elysian Fields Avenue.

He was described as 25 to 30 years old, 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a white polo shirt and dark pants.

• Friday (10.1.10) 4:40 a.m.?p.m.? (take your choice: it was listed as "a.m." on the crime map and "p.m." on the report--and "6:16 a.m." on the crime list): An 18-year-old white boy walking in the 1000 block of Royal Street (between St. Philip Street and Ursulines Avenue) when a black guy came by and grabbed his keys from him, then fled toward Esplanade Avenue.

The robber was described as 21 to 25 years old, 5'9" tall, with mid-length dreadlocks, wearing a white shirt and black pants.

• Tuesday (9.28.10) 10:56 p.m.: A 46-year-old white woman walking in the 400 block of Dauphine Street (between Conti and St. Louis streets) had her purse snatched by a white guy (have you notice that more and more white guys are joining the ranks of the robbers?).

He was described as 35 to 40 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 140 pounds, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.

• Monday (9.27.10) 1:30 a.m.: A 48-year-old white woman walking in the 1000 block of Ursulines Avenue (between N. Rampart and Burgundy streets) was knocked to the ground by a black thug who took her property from her pockets. She didn't bother reporting the crime until 11:45 a.m.

She said her assailant was 5'7" tall, weighing 120 pounds, with short hair, wearing a black shirt and denim shorts.

* * *
Crimes last week in the 8th District
(Click on the crime to enlarge it)

Sunday (9.26.10)

Auto Burglary, Camp & Julia, 2:40 a.m.
Theft, 415 Dauphine, 9:44 a.m.
Auto Theft, 334 Royal, 12:06 p.m.
Theft, 833 Poydras, 5:25 p.m.

Monday (9.27.10)

Auto Burglary, 1011 Tchoupitoulas, 8:22 a.m.
Theft, 135 St Charles, 8:49 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 1000 Ursulines, 11:45 a.m.
Auto Burglary, N Rampart & St Ann, 14:37 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 300 Canal, 3:24 p.m.
Auto Theft, 300 N Diamond, 4:24 p.m.
Auto Theft, 300 Camp, 5:16 p.m.
Theft, 739 Canal, 7:52 p.m.

Tuesday (9.28.10)

Auto Burglary, 619 S Peters, 7:24 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 619 S Peters, 9:52 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 619 S Peters, 10:39 a.m.
Theft, 209 Decatur, 1:05 p.m.
Theft, 400 Dauphine, 1:13 p.m.
Theft, 1500 Sugar Bowl, 2:25 p.m.
Auto Theft, Pauger & N Rampart, 7:43 p.m.
Purse Snatching , 400 Dauphine, 10:51 p.m.

Wednesday (9.29.10)

Shoplifting, 814 Canal, 4:21 p.m.
Residence Burglary , 1119 Dauphine, 9:02 p.m.

Thursday (9.30.10)

Auto Burglary, 817 Bienville, 8:33 a.m.
Auto Theft, Carondelet & Girod, 8:45 a.m.
Auto Theft, 600 Barracks, 10:42 a.m.

Friday (10.1.10)

Simple Robbery, 1006 Royal, 6:16 a.m.
Theft, 536 Bienville, 5:08 p.m.
Shoplifting, 840 Canal, 5:19 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, Esplanade & Frenchmen, 9:44 p.m.
Aggravated Battery, 300 O'Keefe, 11:32 p.m.
Auto Burglary, N Rampart & St Ann, 11:53 p.m.

Saturday (10.2.10)

Pickpocketing, 441 Bourbon, 1:41 a.m.
Theft, 819 St Louis, 1:42 a.m.
Theft, 511 Bourbon, 3:10 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 400 Decatur, 4:52 a.m.
Armed Robbery, 334 Royal, 1:46 p.m.
Theft, 503 Bourbon, 9:19 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Camel's nose in the tent

SOME well-meaning people are running around trying to make you think that if you vote for the new "public safety" taxing district this Saturday (10.2.10) the French Quarter will be safer.

They actually believe that taking a million dollars a year from you to put a couple of rent-a-cops--guys not good enough to be real cops--on the streets of the Quarter will do the trick.

The trick, however, is on them. They've been duped into doing the bidding for a bunch of businessmen profiteering on tourism. There's a reason Darryl Berger--the hotel mogul--is chairman of the French Quarter-Marigny Historic Area Management District (FQMHAMD), which is pushing the "public safety" tax. (If you want documents about the district or tax, you have to go by his office at 100 Conti St.)

In fact, 7 of 13 members of the board of directors represent business groups. They were all appointed by Ray Nagin--the most disastrous mayor the city's ever had--in 2009 and haven't had a meeting since Sept. 14, 2009. (The meetings are supposed to be open to the public, but if you want to see the minutes of any of the meetings, you are out of luck--you need authorization.)

VCPORA, the largest organization of residents in the Quarter, says it "found no compelling reason to support" the tax being voted on Oct. 2.

But the smaller French Quarter Citizens group--whose president is a tourism profiteer with his bed-&-breakfast in the Quarter--has lobbied mightily for what it calls the "security district."

What you've got to realize is, this "security district" is just the camel's nose in the tent. The legislation that created the FQMHAMD did so with the idea of giving it all sorts of power to regulate life in the French Quarter at the expense of residents, run by profiteers, to benefit tourism businesses.

It says as much on their webpage--along a whole list of tourist-type improvements it can make:

"The statutory purpose of the District is to strengthen the area within its boundaries as a vital component of Louisiana’s tourism industry; aid in the preservation of the District’s architecture, quaint charm and tout ensemble; beautify its appearance; improve public safety, foster quality experiences and quality of life within its boundaries; and improve commercial and residential vitality. The statutory functions of the District include strategic planning, business and commercial development activities and administering capital improvement funds."

You notice improving "public safety" was only one of its mandates. But who would vote for this new tax if they thought it was going to benefit tourism profiteers, rather than residents? Instead, these very clever men (and women) singled out "public safety" as the target of the tax. Who, after all, wouldn't be willing to pay for a safer Quarter?

Every residence and business in the Quarter will be taxed upwards of $185 a year, with the district taking in over $1 million annually. But the tax is flawed in two ways:

• Almost 29% of that will go for an executive director and assistant, plus other staff, office, and accouterments to create the bureaucracy that will perpetuate the district and help it further its agenda of boosting the profits of its cabal of businessmen. In other words, a big chunk of its revenue will go to things totally unrelated to "public safety."
  

• The rest of the money will go to hire a private contractor who will put 2+ rent-a-cops on the beat in the Quarter. They will have no arrest powers, and when armed will not be able to take their guns out of their holsters. They will have no more authority than the average citizen; they can call 911, you can call 911.
  

Proponents of the tax do not in any way document their assertion that their 2-man patrols will reduce crime, but do concede that they will deal only with nuisance ("quality of life") issues. Their favorite arguments are that:

• The tax rate proposed is the second lowest of 22 neighborhood taxing districts in the city; that could very well be an argument for raising the tax in 4 years when it will be up for renewal at the polls.

• If you don't like the "security district" you could vote it out in 4 years; that's not a very good argument to present to voters who allowed Ray Nagin to overstay his welcome in 2006.

It's a shame to see so many of my friends and neighbors hoodwinked in the name of "public safety" by those who profiteer from tourists. Tourists may be the lifeblood of businesses in the Quarter, but residents are the lifeblood of the neighborhood they come to "ooh" and "ahh" over. Residents should not foot the bill for people we already entertain with our lifestyle.

* * *

Read previous NOcrimeline analyses: "Don't be fooled!" (8.4.10) and "A slap in the face to the police" (9.22.10).

Download the public safety proposal by the French Quarter/Marigny Historic Area Management District.

Link to the statement by Kalen Wright of Lower Quarter Citizens Against Crime opposing the taxing district.

Your "NO" vote this Saturday Oct. 2 will restore some sanity to making the French Quarter safer--without exorbitant cost.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Hardly anything

Good guys winning?: In the past week, there were only 5 robberies--or attempted robberies--reported in the French Quarter and its environs. And on Friday (9.24.10)--Friday of all days!--the 8th District NOPD received absolutely NO reports of crimes.

On top of that, 8th District detectives hauled in a guy on Monday (9.20.10) they think committed a robbery the previous week in the Quarter. Police charged Solomon Matthews, 19, and charged him with simple robbery. (This is supposed to be Matthews' mug shot. If Sheriff Marlin Gusman fights crime like he takes pictures, heaven help us all. Hey, Marlin, spend a few bucks on a sheet to hang up as a backdrop before you go begging for millions for a new jail.)

Matthews is accused of grabbing an iPhone from a 51-year-old man on 9.14.10 near Bourbon and St. Louis streets.

Here are the other incidents in the past week:

• Monday (9.20.10) 11:41 a.m.: A 43-year-old white woman was walking--and talking--in the 600 block of Bourbon Street (between St. Peter and Toulouse streets) when a black boy grabbed her iPhone from her hand and hustled off. The police, in turn, grabbed the 13-year-old juvenile. No word on whether or not he was charged also as a truant--it was just before noon after all. Perhaps a cop on patrol should have noticed this young shaver was not in school--and could have prevented the woman from being robbed.
  

• Monday (9.20.10) 9:26 p.m.: A 52-year-old white woman was in the 2000 block of N. Rampart Street (between Touro and Frenchmen streets) when a black boy rolled up on a bicycle and pulled a pistol, demanding the woman's purse. She yelled for help and the little miscreant sped off on Touro toward Burgundy Street.

She described him as 13 to 15 years old (a curfew violator?), 5'8" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with short hair, wearing a dark-colored shirt.

• Thursday (9.23.10) 10:45 p.m.: A 30-year-old white man walking in the 500 block of Dumaine Street (between Decatur and Chartres streets) was robbed by 2 white thugs who knocked him to the ground and went through his pockets, taking what they could find.

The victim described both of them as 35 years old, 5'8" to 5'9" tall, with thin builds and black hair, wearing white T-shirts and--the only difference--one had black pants and the other blue jeans.

• Saturday (9.25.10) 3:00 a.m.: A 31-year-old white man was attacked by a gang of 4 or 5 black hoodlums who knocked him to the ground and took what they could from his pockets. The victim didn't bother to report the incident until 10 a.m. and he's not sure of the exact time of the incident or where it happened, though he thinks it was the 800 block of Canal Street. Other than saying they were black guys, he did note one of them had on a yellow shirt.

• Saturday (9.25.10) 9:00 p.m.: A 44-year-old white woman walking--and, again, talking--in the 1100 block of Decatur Street (between Ursulines Avenue and Gov. Nicholls Street) was relieved of her iPhone by 2 black boys who rode up on bicycles and snatched it from her hand.

She described the robbers as in their late teens, with dark complexions; one 5'9" tall, with a thin build and shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans; the other wore a white T-shirt.

Say what?: If you are registered to vote in the French Quarter you probably got one of those big postcards a couple of weeks ago from the folks who want you to give them a million dollars a year for to create a "security district" manned by make-believe cops.

They wanted you to come to an informational meeting on "Wednesday, September 21." The problem is, Sept. 21 was a Tuesday; the Wednesday after was Sept. 22. So was the meeting Tuesday or Wednesday? Was it Sept. 21 or Sept. 22? Naturally, this led to confusion.

No telling how many might have gone on Tuesday and how many on Wednesday. But one Royal Street antiques dealer said he went to the Omni Royal Orleans on Wednesday, only to be told the meeting had been held the night before.

"Personally," he says, "I think they are just going through the motions of informing the public--but don't really want our input, just our money."

Try it again: The French Quarter Citizens organization--which is big on this boondoggle--is holding another meeting about the "security district" proposal that will be on the ballot this Saturday (10.2.10).

The notice says the meeting is only for FQC members and their guests, but since it was sent to a non-member, it must mean all are welcome.

The meeting is Wednesday (9.29.10)--day and date match--from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Bryan Francher, 639 Esplanade Ave. (at the corner of Royal Street).

COMSTAT on the move: This week's 8th District COMSTAT meeting on Wednesday (9.29.10) at 1 p.m., usually held at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, will be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., in the Oak Alley/Madewood Room on the second floor. The media and citizens are urged to attend to see how the NOPD plots its crimefighting strategy.

Anti-crime walk: Join Capt. Edwin Hosli, commander of the 8th District, officers in the district, and city leaders for the monthly community anti-crime walk on Wednesday (9.29.10) at 6:30 p.m. This is the route:

Begin at Dauphine and St. Ann; proceed on Dauphine for 2 blocks; left on Toulouse for 1 block; left on Bourbon for 2 blocks; right on St. Ann for 2 blocks; left on Chartres for 2 blocks; left on St. Philip for 3 blocks; end at Dauphine and St. Philip.

The community walks provide you with an opportunity to meet and interact with the police that serve your neighborhood and spread the message that the police and community stand together in efforts to combat violence. During the walk, officers provide Crimestoppers information and leaflets to citizens. The walk is held simultaneously in all police districts to show solidarity of our effort throughout the NOPD.

* * *
Crimes last week in the 8th District
(click the map to enlarge it)

Sunday (9.19.10)

Auto Theft, 400 Andrew Higgins, 1:50 a.m.
Auto Theft, 400 Burgundy, 2:19 a.m.
Theft, 344 Camp, 7:59 p.m.

Monday (9.20.10)

Theft, 441 Bourbon, 2:02 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 200 Burgundy, 4:08 a.m.
Auto Theft, Carondelet & Girod, 11:33 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 815 Dumaine, 11:42 a.m.
Theft, Chartres & St Philip, 8:49 p.m.
Attempted Armed Robbery, N Rampart & Touro, 9:28 p.m.

Tuesday (9.21.10)

Auto Burglary, 1101 Annunciation, 6:12 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1101 Annunciation, 6:44 a.m.
Auto Theft, Gravier & Magazine, 10:25 a.m.
Auto Theft, 400 Gravier, 10:28 a.m.
Auto Theft, 1011 Annunciation, 1:37 p.m.
Shoplifting, 711 St Peter, 3:04 p.m.
Theft, 500 Canal, 3:14 p.m.
Theft, 150 S Liberty, 3:58 p.m.

Wednesday (9.22.10)

Theft, 525 Fulton, 10:09 a.m.
Theft, 700 Poydras, 2:41 p.m.
Simple Burglary, 333 Canal, 6:57 p.m.
Theft, 405 Bourbon, 9:16 p.m.

Thursday (9.23.10)

Theft, 915 Decatur, 7:04 p.m.
Theft, 400 Dauphine, 9:33 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 500 Dumaine, 10:45 p.m.

Friday (9.24.10)

NONE!

Saturday (9.25.10)

Auto Theft, 1900 St Claude, 1:08 a.m.
Auto Theft, 900 Canal, 2:01 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 921 Canal, 10:04 a.m.
Shoplifting, 211 Decatur, 11:34 a.m.
Theft, 1100 Port of New Orleans, 12:17 p.m.
Simple Robbery, 1136 Decatur, 9:38 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

Slap in the face to the police

THE WORDS "public safety" are a rallying cry for all those who want the French Quarter to be as safe as it can be--and who in their right mind doesn't want that? But the current effort to levy an exorbitant tax--the one you will vote on Oct. 2--to create a "public safety program" for the neighborhood is wrong-headed.

When the idea was first proposed a couple of years ago it made some sense; crime was rising and the former mayor and police chief had no clue what to do. Now that the program has been fleshed out, here's what it amounts to: A million dollars a year will be sucked from property owners and businesses in the Quarter to put 2 to 5 rent-a-cops on the streets. That's a lot of money for very little.

Not even the 2 major neighborhood organizations agree on whether the program is worth it:

VCPORA (Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents and Associates), the largest of the 2 groups, posted this statement:

"After closely monitoring proposals (for the public safety program) presented by the French Quarter/Marigny Historic Area Management District, the VCPORA board of directors found no compelling reason to support the parcel fee being presented to the voters on Oct. 2.

"VCPORA hosted a public forum on this issue, attended numerous meetings sponsored by FQMHAMD, and reviewed several versions of the business plan, including the final one submitted to us on Sept. 7.

"The vocal opposition of some VCPORA members and a number of unresolved questions related to FQMHAMD’s allocation of resources contributed to this decision, as did the general feeling that this was an issue best left to the judgment of individual residents."

On the other hand, the board of directors of French Quarter Citizens, the smaller of the 2 organizations, "voted unanimously to support creation of the security district. Our position is founded on several convictions:

"We are not satisfied with the current state of public safety, nor with efforts to address quality of life issues;

"We are not optimistic that present or foreseeable resources, financial or organizational, will be adequate to deal with either public safety or quality of life issues;

"We are convinced that additional effort is necessary, and the current proposal provides the prospects for community-controlled additional crime deterrent and quality of life enforcement assistance at a reasonable cost."

This is a slap in the face to the professional police officers of the NOPD. Proponents of the program are saying to the NOPD: "You aren't doing the job."

That may have been the case at one time, but in the 4 short months the new police chief has been in charge, things have changed dramatically: Crime is down, department morale is up, bad apples are being discarded, and it's now tougher to join the NOPD.

The "public safety" program's rent-a-cops--guys not good enough to be real cops--will have no arrest powers and will not even be allowed to take their weapons out of their holsters for any reason. They will be relegated to being watchdogs "for public nuisance or ordinance violations, including panhandling, public urination, graffiti, loitering, public disturbance, blocked driveways, non-violent disputes, and disruptively loud music."

These are hardly issues that threaten public safety in the Quarter. They're nuisances yes, but hardly anything that would prevent anyone from leaving their house at night.

Consider this: How often are you going to see these Boy Scout-type patrols? The NOPD's 8th District puts about 40 of its officers on the street every shift and they're criticized for not being more visible. The private patrol will have only 2 to 5 who have 188+ blocks to cover (Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue; N. Rampart Street to the river).

You think they're going to see them on your street--or will they be up protecting the tourist traps whose executives clog the board of directors pushing this taxing district?

This special taxing district wants home owners (including condos) to fork over at least $185 a year (businesses pay even more) to pay for their 2+ non-professional cops. I don't know about you, but it says on the back of my tax bill that 10% of my taxes go to the NOPD--that's only about 60% of what this new taxing district wants!

It's like Woody Guthrie sang: "Some rob you with a 6-gun, some with a fountain pen." Hell, the bad guys on the streets of the Quarter could rob me 3 or 4 times a year and they'd get less than the bureaucrats in the new taxing district want from my pocket.

Out of the $1+ million they figure to shake down from property owners, they're planning to pay an executive director and his assistant up to $155,000 a year. And, of course, this bureaucracy will have other expenses that have to be paid before they can hire their rent-a-cops. Proponents argue that this plan won't create a bureaucracy. How many employees do you need to be a bureaucracy?

Bureaucracies start small and grow and grow--just give them your money and they'll find a way to expand to use all the dollars you make available. Where are those Tea Party folks when you need them? Isn't that what they're against?

Proponents seem to be saying, "Try it, you'll like it." They point out there will be another vote in 2014 to decide whether to renew. But as most of us have come to realize, bureaucracies don't go away.

The March of Dimes didn't when polio did. And the promise that tolls on the Crescent City Connection would end when the bridge was paid for doesn't look like one citizens are going to win.

If the rich folks in the Quarter feel they've got a spare $1 million laying it around, how about giving it to the professional police in the 8th District. Did you know the city does NOT supply pens, paper and printer ink cartridges to the police? Or light bulbs? Or cleaning supplies--not even toilet paper? How would you like to have to stick a roll of toilet paper in your briefcase or lunch bucket to take to work?

If you've got all this money you're willing to donate to this misguided effort to rent cops, why not give it to the real cops who are already protecting you in the French Quarter?

* * *

Read an earlier analysis by NOcrimeline.

Read the public saftey proposal by the French Quarter/Marigny Historic Area Management District.

Read the opposition statement by Kalen Wright of Lower Quarter Citizens Against Crime.

Then make up your own mind. There's one thing that will stop the rich folks from robbing you with this boondoggle: Your "NO" vote on Oct. 2--a week from this Saturday.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler

No man's land

Bad place to be: What is it about the 400 block of Bourbon Street between Conti and St. Louis streets? Early Wednesday morning (9.15.10) a black punk took a potshot at 4 undercover detectives from the 8th District. That's the same block where a Gretna cop was killed during a fight in June.

No one was hit by the shot fired Wednesday, but the officers swarmed on Brandon Steen, 29, and arrested him on 4 counts of attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon and illegally carrying a weapon; a few days later when they found he was a felon, they also charged him for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Here's how it went down: Around 12:30 a.m. that morning, a citizen told detectives working a narcotics detail about a black guy with a gun. Based on the description they got, Ofc. Joe Jefferson, Ofc. Travis Ward, Ofc. Alex Brady and Ofc. Marc Vazquez canvassed Bourbon Street and spotted the suspect in the 400 block. As they approached him, he allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired one shot toward the officers. The detectives immediately tackled the shooter and attempted to disarm him. The suspect tried to keep control of his weapon by keeping it under him while on the ground.

Bad move unless you like shocking electricity. Lt. Anthony Micheu arrived on the scene and Tasered the miscreant, which yielded the .38-caliber handgun from the suspect and allowed the officers to handcuff the now-docile Steen.

Steen is languoring in OPP on a $270,000 bond.

* * *

Charges have been reduced against the kid's who's accused of killing Gretna police officer Brett Thomas. The charge of second-degree murder against Joshua Miner, 20, was reduced to manslaughter on Thursday (9.16.10) and his bond was reduced from $1 million to $350,000. He is accused of throwing a punch during an argument that landed on the back of Thomas' head, killing him instantly.

Otherwise, quiet: If you ignore the shot fired at the cops and another hail of bullets a few days earlier in which one man was wounded, it was a relatively quiet week in the French Quarter. One armed robbery and 3 unarmed ones was about it:

• Saturday (9.18.10) 3:51 a.m.: Three drunk women in their 20's were nearly robbed in the 1100 block of Canal Street (between S. Rampart Street and Elk Place) by a guy with his hand under his shirt, making like he had a gun. He demanded their money, they screamed and ran away. Noting that the victims, all white, ages 28, 22 and 21, appeared intoxicated during his initial interview with them, postponed further investigation.

The assailant was described as a white man, 25 to 35 years old, 5'8" tall, weighing 180 pounds, with short blond hair

• Saturday (9.18.10) 5:30 a.m.: Must be something in the water--maybe bourbon. A 25-year-old white guy was walking near Iberville and Bourbon streets when 4 black thugs grabbed him and took his wallet from his pocket before fleeing on foot on Iberville toward N. Rampart Street.

He was unable to give an accurate description of his assailants during an initial interview.

• Saturday (9.18.10) 5:00 a.m.: This guy didn't bother to report being robbed until several hours after it happened and then couldn't give an accurate description of the robber either. The 31-year-old white fella said he was walking in the 700 block of Orleans Avenue (between Royal and Bourbon streets) when he was grabbed by a black dude who grabbed him and demanded his money. He complied and the robber fled on foot toward Bourbon.

• Tuesday (9.14.10) 6:25 p.m.: This lady was able at least to give somewhat of a description of the black boy who robbed her even though she was jabbering on her cellphone at the time. The victim, a 51-year-old white woman, was standing near Bourbon and St. Louis streets when the little punk came up and grabbed the iPhone right out of her hand.

She said he was 16 to 18 years old, 5'9" tall, with short twists in his hair.

Robbery solved: It took a couple of weeks, but 8th District detectives think it was Benjamin Kent, a 38-year-old black dude who also goes by the name of Michael Johnson, who robbed a 36-year-old white guy on Bienville Street near Royal Street on 8.31.10. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.

The suspect panhandled the victim for some money, but when the victim took his wallet from his pocket, the robber grabbed it and fled. The victim described his assailant as 5'6" to 5'8" tall, weighing 220 to 250 pounds.

If you know Benjamin Kent--or Michael Johnson--rat him out to Crimestoppers at 822-1111 and collect the $2,500 reward.

* * *
Crimes last week in the 8th District
(Click on the map to enlarge it)

Sunday (9.12.10)

Auto Theft, 1420 Burgundy, 12:16 p.m.
Auto Burglary, Elysian Fields & Royal, 4:07 p.m.
Theft, 700 Tchoupitoulas, 8:06 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1022 St Philip, 9:02 p.m.

Monday (9.13.10)

Theft, 930 Poydras, 9:42 a.m.
Auto Theft, Burgundy & Iberville, 10:04 a.m.
Auto Theft, 700 Burgundy, 14:53 p.m.

Tuesday (9.14.10)

Theft, Julia & St Charles, 8:39 a.m.
Auto Burglary, Dauphine & Ursulines, 9:53 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1303 Burgundy, 10:55 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 800 St Philip, 5:48 p.m.
Simple Robbery, Bourbon & St Louis, 6:43 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 735 Camp, 7:46 p.m.
Shoplifting, 800 Canal, 8:06 p.m.
Auto Burglary, 400 S Rampart, 8:24 p.m.

Wednesday (9.15.10)

Attempted Murder, 415 Bourbon, 12:36 a.m.
Auto Theft, 500 Conti, 10:50 a.m.
Theft, 932 Bourbon, 5:08 p.m.

Thursday (9.16.10)

Auto Theft, St Joseph & Tchoupitoulas, 5:56 a.m.
Business Burglary, 201 St Charles, 10:44 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 535 Tchoupitoulas, 1:22 p.m.
Theft, 909 Royal, 2:44 p.m.
Theft, 621 St Louis, 6:48 p.m.

Friday (9.17.10)

Auto Theft, Bienville & Chartres, 5:22 a.m.
Shoplifting, 902 Poydras, 10:38 a.m.
Theft, 515 Gravier, 11:13 a.m.
Bicycle Theft, Camp & Canal, 11:29 a.m.
Shoplifting, 134 Royal, 12:29 p.m.
Bicycle Theft, 1700 N Rampart, 8:03 p.m.

Saturday (9.18.10)

Aggravated Battery, Bourbon & Iberville, 2:19 a.m.
Armed Robbery (Implied), 1100 Canal, 3:51 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 100 S Rampart, 5:05 a.m.
Simple Robbery, Bourbon & Iberville, 5:40 a.m.
Simple Robbery, 700 Orleans, 6:51 a.m.
Theft, 201 Baronne, 10:15 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1100 Port of New Orleans, 11:51 a.m.
Auto Burglary, 1100 Port of New Orleans, 11:51 a.m.
Pickpocketing, Decatur & Toulouse, 1:29 p.m.
Auto Theft, 344 St Joseph, 7:14 p.m.

* * *

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

Thom Kahler