Who goes there?
…and so here we have our mayor now calling for return of the National Guard and State Police to deal with the crime in our midst — something suggested in this space last week. I raised this question before the quintuple murder over the weekend (in agreement with T-P columnist Chris Rose) and hopefully there will be some action.
I’m really struggling with this. On the one hand, I want to feel safe in (most of) my own city. And I do, at least safer than I did before Katrina. The neighborhood has pulled together, we’re meeting plenty of the new folks and I’m overall less worried about what might randomly happen if I happen to wind up in the Wrong Place. There are simply fewer people in the city. That said, the recent spate of violence in Central City and a few other spots confirms the gangbangers and thugs are indeed back to their Same Old Shit in the Same Old Places — largely against their own kind. The state can bring in all the Guardsmen and police it wants — and the bad guys are just going to lay low until Da Man leaves.
I’m wondering, given the current situation, if Guardsmen from Lafayette, Alexandria and so forth are going to find themselves more or less on permanent assignment for a while in New Orleans. Where’s this tour taking you, Marcel? Baghdad? Afghanistan? Nope — the corner of Josephine and Daneel. Flak jackets, helmets and all.
I simply can’t agree the current problems will be solved, lessened or otherwise addressed by things like better summer programs, as suggested by Oliver Thomas. I mean, these five kids killed last weekend were killed at 4-freaking-AM. They already have a “summer program” that is the hot-weather version of the “winter program” — involving. high-powered weapons and out-of-control testoserone and chemically-altered brains.
…so I’m hoping the governor acts quickly. I don’t think the suggested 300 Guardsmen are enough — but it will be reassuring to see the Humvees again.
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I think the curfew for minors sounds like a good idea.
I fear New Orleans is turning me into Republican. I’m getting all law and order.
“Republican” solutions, like law & order, are temporary and do not effect lasting change. Besides, you think the kids here aren’t afraid to shoot at the po-po?
I want law and order, too, but I’ve been around long enough to know what that really means. I assure you I will not be pulled over for Driving While Blond, but you darker brothers and sisters need to make sure you have your license, registration, current brake tag and proof of insurance handy. Don’t change lanes without signalling, don’t follow too close, drive too fast or drive too slow, and for gods sake buckle up. Unless you want to spend the night in Central Lock-up and have a bologna sandwich for breakfast.