Example of a Recent NOcrimeline Alert

Following are excerpts from the NOcrimeline update of 4.7.07., created by Thom Kahler:

Details on Norris robbery: Bond totaling $617,500 has been set for Gary Lindsey in the armed robbery 3/31/07 of Bill Norris at his home in the 1000 block of St. Philip Street. (Normally, we don't use the name of a victim unless it is general knowledge or the victim or family identifies him. Bill was identified as the victim by his son, Will.)

Lindsey, 38, whose last known address is 2925 St. Ann St., is charged with 15 offenses ranging from armed robbery with a firearm to assault and battery to numerous purse snatchings. A "show cause" hearing to determine if there's enough evidence to try him will be held 6/1/07 at 9 a.m. in Magistrate Court Section M1.

Will Norris and a neighbor identified as William Sullivan are credited for the apprehension of the alleged perpetrator who is suspected in as many as 20 similar robberies in the last two weeks. Unlike the Times-Picayune's bungled story, here's what happened, according to the NOPD report:

"The son of the victim chased after the perpetrator and observed him getting into a black Mitsubishi Eclipse, 2 door, with a temp tag (which was parked at the intersection of St. Philip and Burgundy Streets). The son flagged down a citizen and asked him to follow the vehicle. The Good Samaritan followed the perpetrator and called 911. He advised the dispatcher that he was behind the vehicle and gave each location until NOPD units could flood the area.

"NOPD units followed the vehicle and attempted to stop the driver near the Lowe's on Elysian Fields. The driver refused to stop and led officers on a brief chase. The driver jumped out of the vehicle while it was still running in the area of Benefit and Touro streets. Officer Desmond Pratt and his partner Miquel Aubert chased the perpetrator on foot and apprehended him as he attempted to escape over a fence."

And all because two citizens chose to get involved.

What you can do: Once again, bold efforts by citizens led to the arrest of a perpetrator in a horrendous French Quarter crime. Similarly, the accurate description given by the Hubers after they were viciously mugged a month earlier aided in the apprehension of a suspect in their case and another case.

Bill's wife, Betty, who along with Bill were also victims of an armed robbery in January, points out that in both cases the perpetrators' cars were illegally parked close to an intersections and both cars had temporary paper tags. That highlights the need to be alert for things that are out of place, to be suspicious of unusual situations. Not every illegally parked car nor every car with temporary tags harbors thugs, but watch for them and if they look out of place in your neighborhood, call the police at the non-emergency number, 821-2222.

Scooters: Eight more officers have been trained to patrol on scooters, and now more scooters are needed. Perhaps a group could take the lead to get additional dollars to put more scooters out on the streets of the Quarter and Marigny. [Note: This entry was edited]

Dog park alert: Following com- plaints that "gutter punks" hanging out in Cabrini Park were sleeping there, destroying property, and intimidating residents, Capt. Hosli says, "I will notify the platoons to increase the patrols in the park."