FRONT LINES (New Orleans Quagmire Alert)

The Times Picayune ^ | June 25, 2006 | Michael Perlstein

[abb]

In the first months after Hurricane Katrina, when subsiding floodwaters gave way to an eerie calm, residents returning to New Orleans were treated to a virtually crime-free landscape, a strange but welcome change in an era of over-amped violence.

Police officers would go entire shifts without a hot call, spending most of their time filling out paperwork for looting complaints. National Guard troops grew bored manning checkpoints in empty neighborhoods. If there was a reminder of homegrown violence, it was a distant one, seen mostly in headlines from evacuee-swollen cities like Houston.

Newly elevated Police Superintendent Warren Riley, even as he was drawing up strategies for the expected return of drugs and guns and thugs, briefly allowed himself to relish the possibility that one of Katrina's legacies would be a more tranquil New Orleans.

"Mayberry is a boring city, but you don't have body bags leaving Mayberry every day," he said in November.

Today, the number of body bags and emergency room gunshot wounds is starting to make New Orleans look more like Detroit than Mayberry. And with the arrival last week of 300 National Guard troops and further assistance from State Police, Riley is no longer downplaying the return of crime, but touting new strategies for dealing with it.

Last weekend's massacre of five teenagers in Central City, on top of the steadily rising incidence of shootings and drug-trafficking, erased any lingering illusions. After a relatively peaceful winter, the murder rate in the second quarter has soared to more than double the first-quarter rate.

[abb]

I say we need an exit strategy and a date certain withdrawal timetable...

[Mo1]

Newly elevated Police Superintendent Warren Riley, even as he was drawing up strategies for the expected return of drugs and guns and thugs, briefly allowed himself to relish the possibility that one of Katrina's legacies would be a more tranquil New Orleans

That's pretty sad if one really takes the time to think about it

[bmwcyle]

I say level it.

[Terabitten]

Welcome to Mogadishu on the gulf.

[sgtbono2002]

Mayor Nagin wanted his "Chocolate City" back.

Now he has it.

Its party time.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

"Chocolate City"

I just wish that Mayor Nagin had a "Chocolate City" whose citizens predominantly were readers of Thomas Sowell and not listeners to rap "music."

[small voice in the wilderness]

But doesn't Houston seem quieter...

[bcsco]

"I say we need an exit strategy and a date certain withdrawal timetable..."

Yeah. Let's send everybody to Okinawa. That way both Kerry and Murtha will be happy.

[Knitebane]

We should take off and nuke it from orbit.

It's the only way to be sure.

[strange1]

"I say we need an exit strategy and a date certain withdrawal timetable..." Yeah. Let's send everybody to Okinawa. That way both Kerry and Murtha will be happy.

I say we set up camp on the street across from NAgins house and stay there until he brings our boys home!

Quick someone take my picture holding onto rev Jackson while I make a stupid goony look.

[bcsco]

" Quick someone take my picture holding onto rev Jackson while I make a stupid goony look."

Why would you want to do that? All it takes is a photo of you and a graphics editor. That way you wouldn't have to shower afterward.

[Amanda75]

Your posts are, of course, funny, but try living here with the scum.

[CPOSharky]

I say we need an exit strategy and a date certain withdrawal timetable...

Three days before the next catagory 4 hurricane. Or maybe three days after.

[Panzerfaust]

I say we need an exit strategy and a date certain withdrawal timetable...

I was for the deployment to New Orleans before I was against it.....

[Conservababe]

According to a documentary on Court TV, the bigger gangs are now moving into New Orleans. According to the LEOs, their problems pre Katrina was with home grown gangs only. Now they are having to deal with very well known and organized gangs.

[Panzerfaust]

Well, it is a perfect time to get in on the ground floor opportunity for the local crime business. All the old players are gone and nature abhors a vacuum

[strange1]

That way you wouldn't have to shower afterward.

Point taken, guess the "ole saying or wrestling with pigs applys...

[strange1]

but try living here with the scum.

I never thought I'd say this, but here's one opportunity for Detroit to look down it's nose at New Orleans. My sympathy...

[SaveTheChief]

I need to drive through that disease-infested slime hole tomorrow. Good thing I got the extra armor for the car.