More of the Same Old Same Old
Well, it’s true. It happened. Just like the T-P said. The NOPD has confirmed that one of its own went all road rage and brandished a gun in front of kids at a local day camp.
And, dammit, now that the public knows about it, they’re gonna do something! Even though they tried to brush it aside yesterday.
When police were called to the community center initially, a ranking officer declared the complaint “unfounded,” after talking with the officer who witnesses said brandished the gun in a petty argument with a woman in the center’s pickup line.
Today, the chief is going to address it at a press conference. But in the meantime,
About eight [of] NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau showed up at the center first thing Thursday morning, and were followed shortly after noon by investigators from the city’s Office of Municipal Investigation, said Treme Center employee Belden “Noonie” Batiste.
Police chief Warren Riley also called the center’s director, Jerome Smith, to express his concern.
Smith hoped that an investigation would lead to a reprimand, but he wasn’t hopeful.
All he wants is a reprimand? Jesus Christ, that broad is dangerous, man!
How long can this go on? We are not being protected and served by those who bandy the slogan. We are all being bullied, bullied as badly as those kids who were exposed to a gun-wielding loose cannon just yesterday.
July 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I’ve been screaming about the NOPD for the last six years. Here’s my take on the latest poop-
http://gentillygirl.com/2008/07/17/disband-the-nopd-now/
It’s time to put together another march and demand radical changes in the NOPD. (and I want Riley’s freakin’ head on a pike)
July 17th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Riley is an impediment, as is Nagin. There are good cops out there, I kow several. The thing is that the bad ones have no oversight, the department has no leadership, and (as can be seen in Lord David’s recent posting about entrapment of the homeless) resources are consistently mis-allocated. This allows the bad apples to gain nourishment from the festering rot around them.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again: Public Shaming should return to the list of penalties for breaking the law.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I’m with you Darlin’.
I used to be a Military cop, and yes there are many good cops here, but I am outraged over severe incidents from the NOPD over the last six years. (and I’m counting the crap my tribes have had to deal with from these uniformed thugs)
We, and that means the citizens of New Orleans, must rise up and say “No More”.
And yes Riley and Nagin are impediments, but that’s what bulldozers are for.
Instead of of the 5,000 we had for the Anti-Violence March, I want to see 10,000 folks on this issue. We have to force this. This is OUR city. And it’s up to us to make it the way we want.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
The fact that “there are some good cops” doesn’t actually make me feel much better. They should all be good cops. They should all at least be decent, responsible human beings.
In my fourteen years in this city I have had many occasions to call the police. NOT ONCE could I ever convince any of them to fill out a police report — they just won’t do it. And if you push the issue, they start implying that arresting you, the complainant, is a more attractive option.
The single most common line I’ve ever heard from an NOPD officer is this: “I’m sorry, but our hands are tied, there’s nothing we can do.”
I’ve heard that line so often that I think it would make a more accurate slogan than “To Protect and Serve.”
Sorry, but I am bitter and cynical. I’ve had too many friends hurt or killed in this city due to weak or nonexistant police response.
We are on our own. Maybe that’s best. I’ve accepted it.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:29 am
While I respect the new breed of NOPD that is coming in to serve our community, I am often concerned that the pervasive mentality of the old system will continue to persist. Maybe the U.N. should be called in to monitor the situation! We’re a French city anyway, can’t we appeal to the better senses of the Prime Minister for help?
July 18th, 2008 at 6:19 am
I think I’m gonna take my cat over and apply for a job for him. Obviously, he’s as qualified as the current group of recruits (some of whom spend more time “cruising” the truck stops in Slidell than they do patrolling in the city). Besides, we could use the extra paycheck…..
July 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Hmmm… where are all those spoiled salmonella tomatoes. Time to toss them at our officials but then I’d go to jail for life.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Actually, the FDA says it wasn’t the tomatoes after all, but peppers. As for NOPD slogans, how about “To Neglect And Self-Serve”?
July 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I still think that a mass demonstration should be held like we did last year. There must be signage that illustrates the abuses and the negligence of the NOPD. It must be streamed to the web.
This is a form of “Public Shaming”.
Take a clue from the LGBT communities in many cities: we create mass protests. (No White Night Riot please… I’m lucky to not have been arrested) In S.F., we could pull together 5,000 people to march in less than 3 hours. In this day and age we can do this here and actually have a greater impact. Use the web.
We entrust folks like the NOPD with powers in order for our community to be safe. We ARE the ultimate boss. When those we give power to don’t deliver, the only answer is to rise up and say “No More!”.
I am not connected to many of the activist movers and shakers here, but I do have some connections. There are others who can do far more. For myself, I will continue to write about NOPD abuses because we cannot let this crap continue.
It’s up to us to speak out in order to create the changes we desire.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Like last year is the key part of that phrase. Look around, read the crime stats, little if any lasting good has come of that. we need real action, not more flag waving BS.
Has anyone given the Inspector General a telephone yet? I know al his time cannot be taken up guest starring in Ionesco plays……
July 18th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Not creating an argument Darlin’, but mass activism , along with citizens staying on top of things, does work.
Eternal vigilance…
July 18th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 am
Well, yet again I have great confidence in the NOPD. First, it takes a tourist on his way to get a beer to catch a man who robbed a bank (2 blocks from the police station), Then, in the two blocks of royal going up to the police station this morning. Every car that parks overnigh had a window smashed. Now maybe they missed that, but all the Insurance and registration cards blowing down the street should have raised a few eyebrows, and if not that, then how about the car with the open trunk and a pile of crap behind it, from where the perp obviously had time to start rooting. All I can say is C’mon people. Fire Rilley, Fire Nagin, and let’s make this our town again…..