As OTB’s roving correspondent for New Orleans, I’ve had the chance to actually see the National Guardsmen and state troopers running around the city in the evenings. Naturally, it’s feels better than before, but it’s a stark reminder of how violent this city is.
It’s genuinely amazing. I don’t see how people can have so little concern for their city that all they can do is commit crimes, and horrible acts of violence, when their city is very much in need of rebuilding. It’s quite depressing to think about:
In June, five teenagers were gunned down while sitting in a sport utility vehicle, sparking the return of state police and National Guard troops to help keep the peace in the city. This weekend, six people were shot to death in 24 hours.
“It dampens the progress we are making since the hurricane,” said City Councilwoman Shelley Midura. “This is not what most people in New Orleans encounter. Most people in New Orleans do not experience any type of violence. But this is the image that is being formed of the city and it will hurt us if it continues.”
The spate of violence began Friday night when three brothers and a friend were killed several blocks away from the French Quarter in the Treme neighborhood. They were sitting on a porch when two men walked by, turned around and fired, police Superintendent Warren Riley said.
Two other people were gunned down in separate incidents hours later in other neighborhoods, one close to busy St. Charles Avenue, between a daiquiri shop and a restaurant.
No arrests had been made in the latest killings as of Sunday night.
The violence, which police say is usually drug related, has not involved tourists.
What this city needs is an enema, and a much larger police force. Alex Tabarrok has a good post on the efficiency of police officers, for those who are interested.
