New Orleans Crime, WWL's Garland Robinette, Murder Of Dinerral Shavers, And French Quarter Fear (Thursday's Second Hour)

Hi everyone. This hour is a little better, but we still kick it off with a bunch of Anna Nicole coverage. Then we're on to a Rick Sanchez piece where he goes out on patrol with cops in New Orleans. These just aren't any cops; they're an elite unit called the "jump out boys" because, I'm assuming, they jump out on your butt. These cops are trying to get the crime in New Orleans under control and end the murder epidemic. So far they've made 1,000 arrests. In the piece the cops bust some drug dealers and Rick shows us a half ounce bag of weed. Oh, bust Rick! Unfortunately in New Orleans busts are one thing and convictions are another. After the piece Anderson asks Rick what the problem is and Rick explains that with the city so abandoned there are basically about 10,000 potential crack houses just waiting for criminals. Rick then partially acts out the process of the "jump out boys" going after somebody. He makes sweeping hand gestures and if you watch closely, momentarily freaks Anderson the hell out. It's okay Anderson. I'd be a little afraid too if Rick was swinging his arms wildly in front of me.

Next up we have a repeat of last hour's Randi Kaye piece and then we're on to an interview with Deputy Chief Anthony Cannatella of the NOPD. Again Anderson asks what's going on in the city. Anthony believes that the increase in crime is because all the criminals are now vying for territory that has gotten smaller. Anderson notes that it seems the social structure in the city has broken down and Anthony agrees. He points out that there are actually a lot of teens living in the city now without their parents. Where are these parents? There's no way I'd let my kid live in any city alone. We also find out from Anthony that their DNA lab was destroyed and they still don't have a crime lab. What?! It's been like 18 months! This is just unbelievably ridiculous. After this interview we have a Randi Kaye piece on Helen Hill, which was covered last time they were in the city.

On now to an interview with Garland Robinette, radio host on WWL in New Orleans. Some of you may recognize Garland from Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke." I bought the DVD a couple of weeks ago and have so far watched the first two acts. It's infuriating, heartbreaking, and highly recommended. Garland explains to Anderson that everyone in any kind of power seems to be blaming everyone else. It's like blame game redux I guess. Anderson really admires Garland for holding people accountable on his radio show or, ahem, keeping them honest. Garland believes all the officials are good people, it's just that stuff isn't getting done and that's hella frustrating. He also points out that there's this conflict with fighting the crime and keeping tourists. Apparently last time they had a curfew it helped with the crime, but people in tourism were upset that it scared tourists away from the French Quarter. Anderson notes that he himself has wrestled with the fact that bringing up the crime aspect might scare people away. Yeah, but you can't ignore reality. Problems don't get fixed if they're swept under the rug. At the end of the interview Anderson goes all fanboy. It's kind of cute.

Now we're on to a Gary Tuchman piece about how the violent crime rate among teens 17 and older is spiking. Just Wednesday a 17 year old was shot to death and Gary talks with a 15 year old who says she hears gunshots every weekend. I can't imagine what that must be like, but really, I don't think it's just specific to New Orleans. After the piece Gary informs us that they're spending a lot more money now on securing schools. That's good to hear.

Moving on to an Anderson piece on the murder of Dinerral Shavers, an accomplished drummer that 360 met not that long after Katrina. He loved music so much that he actually convinced the principal of a local high school to let him start the school's first marching band. Unfortunately Dinerral was gunned down at just 25. The bullet was meant for someone else. His murder and that of Helen Hill were really the tipping point for protests held in the city last time 360 was there. I'm glad they're covering Dinerral more indepth this time because last time they only did Helen Hill. The kids of the high school were so upset that they put tape all over his chair so no one would ever sit in it again. Aw. So much senseless killing.

The final piece of the night is from Susan Roesgen and it focuses on how dangerous the French Quarter is becoming. This leaves me comfuzzled for the next few minutes because I've been listening to Anderson and others say that the French Quarter is safe. Anyway, apparently people who live there are now afraid to go out after dark and we meet a couple that was mugged. They say they feel like prisoners in their own home. Well that's not encouraging. Although I do have to chuckle at the fact that the woman who got mugged has now planted vines around her house that have thorns all over them. That's one of the most original home security systems I've ever seen. After the piece Anderson admits that they've just had people on claiming the French Quarter is safe. Susan says she's been telling people the same thing, but now she's not so sure. Wow. That's kind of telling right there if she's not sure anymore. And the rest of the country and its government just look away.

I'll probably have the first hour of Friday's show up sometime this weekend. I tried to pay attention to the second hour, but just couldn't do it. Besides a repeat piece I think it was literally devoid of news. I would have thought you'd actually have to try to pull that off. Have you seen Spike Lee's documentary? Has New Orleans been forgotten? Have we lost the city? Please don't forget to donate to help Herbert Gettridge rebuild!

Screencaps by storm0611 and jld1119.