19 June 2006

Militarization of New Orleans

St. Charles Avenue at Fern Street, November 2005

Here they come again. The first time during the past year that the National Guard and Louisiana State Police came to New Orleans, they came to rescue people stranded by one of the largest man-made disasters in the history of the United States. Now they are coming because of rampant crime, including murders, in New Orleans. Blanco was quoted as saying,

"I will not tolerate criminal behavior. We must protect our citizens. Having more law enforcement patrolling the streets is a direct deterrent to the criminal element. Criminals are not welcome in New Orleans or anywhere else in this state."

Huh? Where was all of this concern before Katrina? Crime has just suddenly appeared in New Orleans since Katrina? Or maybe Nagin and Blanco are just trying to make the new illegal immigrant population feel more at home by having the military stand in the streets with automatic weapons.....

I understand the need, especially now with fewer police officers, to make sure the city is as safe as possible considering the devestation and abandonment that has occurred since Katrina. But if you want to truly scare away conventions and tourists during hurricane season, as well as former residents trying to make the decision to return back to New Orleans, make sure you tell them that you have to call out the National Guard and State Police to stop all of the murders and to get control of crime in the city.

TAGS: Katrina, New Orleans, NOLA, NOPD, National Guard, Louisiana State Police


5 Comments:

At June 19, 2006 7:24 PM, Blogger doctor chip said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At June 20, 2006 10:22 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's the media spin that is the problem. The headline needs to be: NATIONAL GUARD TO PATROL SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS - not FQ, BD, or UPTOWN!

If you own a home where the looters are running rampant, how can you not welcome this?

Paul S. Pierce

 
At June 21, 2006 8:12 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's Vincent's Italian Restaurant in the background of the photo. Re-opened right away, still going strong, packed every night. Heh heh.

 
At June 21, 2006 5:19 PM, Blogger Roux said...

You said, "Huh? Where was all of this concern before Katrina? Crime has just suddenly appeared in New Orleans since Katrina?"

There was concern before Katrina it's just that the rest of the state has been repeatedly told to but out.

 
At June 26, 2006 10:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The problem is the crime in NO was not a big problem. The problem is our so-called "Leader" wants everyone to believe he's done all that can be done & is doing more for NO - he should get out of Iraq & Afghanistan & spend the money rebuilding NO!

 

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