Posted on 12/29/2006 6:37:08 AM PST by hoosierboy
Just as sports enthusiasts will travel to New Orleans for a big event like the Sugar Bowl, so will criminals.
Notre Dame officials refuse to confirm that their football players were pick pocketed after arriving in the city however, they do say they are handling the situation internally.
Rachel Thimlar and her friends are just a few of the hundreds of Notre Dame students heading to New Orleans for the game.
She says she was concerned when she heard the news.
“Pick pocketed makes me a little nervous because I've heard a lot of stories about New Orleans,” Thimlar admits. “We’ll definitely be careful. Going anywhere you have to be like that, but it wouldn't stop me (from going to the game) for a second.”
We spoke with New Orleans police by phone and they tell us pickpockets are looking to target the most susceptible people in a crowd.
They advise you take these steps to protect yourself.
First, don't over drink. It can put you at a disadvantage because you're less aware of your surroundings.
Minimize the amount of jewelry you wear. Pickpockets target people wearing flashy or excessive jewelry.
Be alert in large crowds. It's easier for a pickpocket to take your property when people are packed in, body to body.
Don't carry a lot of cash and keep those valuables in your front pockets.
“I think if our people stay in that downtown area, they are going to have a phenomenal New Orleans, Louisiana experience,” says Athletic Director Kevin White. “It will be just like it's always been. We would just discourage people from venturing out in other areas, particularly at late hours without appropriate caution.”
The area surrounding the Superdome is not among New Orleans' worst crime districts, according to police there.
But remember, pickpockets are visiting the "Big Easy" for this bowl game too and making yourself an easy a target could turn your trip into a big disaster.
"We would just discourage people from venturing out in other areas, particularly at late hours without appropriate caution.”
Sounds a lot like Baghdad or Falluja. Stay in the Green Zone and you might make it back home.
(Then some wonder why a hurricane happened to this god-forsaken place....)
CFB ping?
We (Pensacola-Destin) got hit by Ivan and Dennis, in less than 9 months, are WE god-forsaken, too?........
The thieves are good, but not as good as Notre Dame. It takes real talent to pick pocket an entire BCS bowl invite from a legitimate team.
OK, I'll ask. What does street crime have to do with weather? Why did a hurricane happen in that "God-forsaken" place?
From whom did they pick pocket a BCS berth? Be specific.
Have you ever even read the BCS rules?
A little sensitive, huh? Relax - I was just having some fun.
But since you want me to be specific, there's no way ND should have finished with a #12 ranking. They benefited from a preposterously high preseason ranking, and even smackdowns against Michigan and USC weren't enough to dissuade the voters. To name one, there's no way they're as good a team as West Virginia.
http://www.anthonytravel.com/ND_BowlTour07_GettingAround.cfm
Getting Around NO.
The only time, I ever had my pocket picked was in New Orleans, and that was in the late 70's. Actually the woman unzipped and reached her hand into my hand bag, as I was watching a parade.
I hope neither one of you are sitting around waiting for a logical, rational answer to your questions.
Nope.......
OOOOH! What you said!............
S/B BS-C rules..........
Why do you bother making logical arguments?
Force of habit.........
Pickpockets? In NO? Perish the thought.
Sounds like little Ms. Kari Huston got her little cell phone picked recently.
Exactly - the rules are a joke in and of themselves. Wisconsin should be in a BCS bowl. Auburn has a good argument as well.
Sounds like a great place to set up a pickpocket with rat traps in an open purse, or maybe a bundle of concertina wire?
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