Carrollton-Riverbend Neighborhood Association (CRNA)

At yesterday’s (Wed 12/10/2008) CRNA crime committee meeting, the majority of our time was spent in a fruitful conversation with Karen Celestan, the newly hired Manager of Community Relations and Policy in Tulane University’s Office of Government Affairs (kcelesta@tulane.edu).

Ms. Celestan recently spoke with the CRNA Board, so we focused the conversation on crime issues. There are several Tulane resources that our neighborhood can tap into for anti-crime efforts:
•    Drug hot spots – If you see clear signs that it is a Tulane student buying drugs, you can forward the license plate number, pictures on cell phones, etc. to Tulane Police (TUPD) and they may be able to track the student down and give them a warning. If you start to notice pattern – ie, the students buy on Thursdays around 4pm – that is particularly helpful. TUPD can even send one of its patrol cars. TUPD has authority to arrest Tulane students immediately. Danny Lawless of TUPD (dlawless@tulane.edu) attends the 2nd District NONPAC.
•    Underage and binge drinking – Tulane has recently sent warning letters to the Frat House (Willow) and Pat Fanny’s (Maple) and has plans to push the Alcohol & Control Board to send agents down from Baton Rouge for more enforcement and busts. Tulane EMS will pick up intoxicated Tulane students who are unable to drive themselves home. P. Boxbrow raised the excellent point that enforcement can feel Sisyphean – busts have to be done again and again, with seemingly no results, but in the end it does work.
•    Off-campus apartments – Tulane is in the process of developing a legal document, a “pledge” contract between students and landlords modeled after a program at Vanderbilt University. They hope to reduce the number of students who are lousy tenants and landlords who are slumlords. Since many Tulane students live in our area, this is an interesting development to keep an eye on.
•    Community Service requirement – If we are interested in involving Tulane students in non-profit projects in our neighborhood, the person to contact is Vincent Ilustre (vilustre@tulane.edu).

Other matters discussed at CRNA-CC’s 12/10 meeting included:
–    Our next CRNA-CC meeting is on Wed 1/14/09 will probably be held in a private residence.
–    In January, we’ll talk more about a possible small anti-crime rally in Palmer Park.
–    CRNA-CC will begin to network with other Carrollton area anti-crime groups to share information and coordinate efforts.
–    An interesting possible volunteer opportunity to help NOPD 2nd District complete its police reports has opened up. E. Leyda is pursuing further.
–    M. Dewitt Dukes is continuing her crime prevention education efforts, following up on the success of our table at the November 2008 Po-Boy Festival on Oak Street.
–    CRNA-CC is still trying to obtain information about the 1935-37 Cambronne murder, namely its status in the criminal justice system. A reminder: Nola.com posts detailed information about each murder that takes place in New Orleans at: http://www.blog.nola.com/murders/
–    We will begin to get better acquainted with Major Bruce Little of the 2nd District, as well as Angel Varnado of the DA’s Office and D. Langhoff of Fielkow’s Office, who liaison on a regular weekly basis with the 2nd District NOPD.

Upcoming crime meetings:
•    Tue 12/16/2008, 7pm – NONPAC (New Orleans Neighborhood Police Anti-Crime Council) at Touro Hospital, community conference room. For further info, email Major Little at blittle@cityofno.com
•    Wed 12/17/2008, 10am – City Council Criminal Justice Committee, City Council Chamber. For further info, email: NHVanDyke@cityofno.com

Filed under: crime committee, minutes |