Sexual assault survivors in the criminal justice system discussed in virtual ‘listening session’ for DA’s office

 

The new District Attorney’s Office transition team held a virtual forum on Saturday (Jan. 23) for the public to discuss their concerns and priorities with the DA’s office, now led by the newly elected Jason Williams.

The theme of Saturday’s zoom meeting was “Protect Vulnerable Communities.” This is also one of the working groups in his transition team. Attendees brought up a wide range of concerns: police treatment of sexual assault survivors, policing in schools, racism in policing and the treatment of homeless people. The working group — led by Madeleine Landrieu, the Loyola Law School dean and a former judge, and Mary Claire Landry, the director of the New Orleans Family Justice Center — aims to enhance witness and victim support, address threats to vulnerable communities, increase connection to community and care, and addressing child abuse and intimate partner violence. 

What constitutes the term “vulnerable communities” was left undefined, and attendees were encouraged to suggest which groups could be included. 

Jason Williams was not in attendance. Rather, the representatives were there to hear concerns and suggestions from the public and advocacy groups, with the understanding that their comments would be taken into consideration when the group issued their final recommendations to Williams.

As chief prosecutor, the Orleans Parish DA holds tremendous power in a city with an extremely high rate of incarceration.

Viewpoint: Candidates offer new voices for Second Congressional District voters

Charter school co-principal Mindy McConnell and small business owner Jenette Porter —along with state Sen. Troy Carter, state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson and Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers — all qualified yesterday for the open Second Congressional District seat recently vacated by former U.S. Rep Cedric Richmond, now a high-ranking aide to President Joe Biden. Qualifying continues until Friday (Jan. 22) at 4:30 p.m.  The race will be fast, furious, expensive and very competitive. The entrance of McConnell and Porter into the race will make the campaign more interesting to a wider range of voters. McConnell, 37, is a Libertarian who believes that it’s time to break up America’s two-party system.

Silver Lining: Parcels & Posts celebrates its first decade on Magazine Street

Parcels & Post on Magazine Street is celebrating its 10th anniversary and Carnival in a big way. It will host a float installation to be unveiled in February. Parcels & Post is also helping us celebrate Carnival by offering 20% off the regular shipping price for king cakes. They ship them all over the world. Owner Heidi Hammond and her husband moved to New Orleans in 2007.

The glittering doesn’t stop for Krewe of Muses as it launches Stilotto and Heels for Healers. Plus, there’s a house float.

Want to score a Krewe of Muses shoe this year? Despite Carnival 2021 parades being canceled, the Krewe of Muses has gathered its glittering footwear forces, merging them with the group’s innovative philanthropy, for Muses Stilotto 2021 and Heels for Healers. 

Muses Stilotto, a glitter-shoe lottery to attract customers to small local businesses, launches today (Jan. 20) and will run through Feb. 10. 

Here’s how it works: Go to one of the more than 40 participating small businesses along the Muses parade route. Purchase an item — or two or three — then scan the QR code on the Stilotto placard at the business.

Ecole Bilingue plans expansion on St. Henry’s Church complex

The Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans received City Planning Commission approval last week to increase its footprint within the St. Henry’s Catholic Church complex with the use of a building for its middle school. The private French immersion school occupies multiple buildings and courtyards within the church grounds for its early childhood, kindergarten, elementary and middle schools. To give the middle school students room to grow in a building of their own, the school wants to lease the Blessed Pauline building at 4219 Constance St. Plans show the interior will be renovated into four classrooms, a science and technology lab, a music room and three offices.

Police blotter: Armed robberies reported in Leonidas, Garden District

Two armed robberies were reported in Uptown neighborhoods on Monday (Jan. 18). A Lexus sport utility vehicle was stolen at gunpoint from a 48-year-old man in the Leonidas neighborhood. At about 11:15 a.m., two armed men approached the victim in the 8300 block of Willow Street. They demanded his keys and property, and he complied.

El Cucuy serves up Mexican street food in the Irish Channel

Austin Lane wants you to come over and enjoy some delicious food at his house. No …seriously. Lane’s restaurant, El Cucuy on Tchoupitoulas Street in the Irish Channel, is serving up Mexican food in a house that he once called home, until he decided to convert it into a funky taco restaurant and bar. Lane had lived in the home for two years when he decided to do the big conversion. The result reflects Lane’s background in restaurants and real estate; El Cucuy is the perfect blend of both.