Two groups of young men were robbed at gunpoint within minutes of each other early Saturday morning on Lowerline Street, authorities said.
The first robbery took place about 1:49 a.m. at Maple and Lowerline, and the victims were a group of four men aged 18 to 20. About 10 minutes later, three men in their early 20s were robbed about four blocks away, in the 1200 block of Lowerline. In each case, the victims were approached by a pair of men, one with a gun, who took their belongings and left on foot, police said.
The gunman is described as a 5-foot-9, 145-pound black man with a beige hat, dark shirt and blue jeans, police said. His accomplice is described as a 5-foot-8, 155-pound black man with a black T-shirt, blue jeans and a black bandana.
Anyone with information should call NOPD Second District detectives at 658-6020 or, to leave an anonymous tip that could be eligible for a cash reward, call Crimestoppers at 822-1111.
I find it very unsettling as the parent of one of the victims that very little was done to locate the culprits after their approximate location was provided by tracking one of the stolen cell phones.
What I find even more disturbing is, there was significant police presence in the area but NOPD’s priority was to issue MIP’s (minor in possession tickets) to incoming students rather than protect and serve the general population. Tickets generate income. Arresting armed robbers does not.
The criminals all know the the first Friday before school is the first day of “hunting season”. Why doesn’t law enforcement? There seem to be a lack of crime prevention and law enforcement and too much crime reporting.
I live nearby, and this is a yearly occurrence during the first month of school. I too am appalled at law enforcement. Apparently, there is supposed to be increased patrols in the area from 8pm to 4am, but I have not noticed any.
I was thinking why not send to the area an undercover cop dressed like a campus student, with patrol cars nearby, this weekend. I am sure the animals will be on the prowl this weekend.
Well, one basic idea is not to be walking the streets at 1:49am. Most (sober or non-sober) adults know better. And as a parent, it doesn’t bother you that your child got a ticket for possession of liquor. He/she was also breaking a law. The large amount of foot traffic coming from bars late at night is a flashing light, saying: here we are. Free picking.”
Tulane Univ. provides free transportation for those who are frequenting Maple St bars and /or friends houses. There are also cabs. And I have noticed that many students have cars. Why walk at 1:30 in the morning? I bet most of these kids would not be walking in their own neighborhoods at that hour.
Police are here to protect and serve us, in many ways. But they are not here to be personal body guards. Please lets get these underage drinkers off the streets and out of the bars.
“Well, one basic idea is not to be walking the streets at 1:49am. Most (sober or non-sober) adults know better.”
So I don’t have the basic right to feel safe in my own neighborhood at all times? Oh, okay.
I think it’s ridiculous that we are forced to either pay for a cab, drive our own cars (uh hello, drunk driving is bad!), or wait 30 minutes to an hour for Safe Ride. Not only are students and other young residents of Uptown being systematically targeted by criminals, we’re being assaulted, as well (sometimes in broad daylight). Don’t believe me? Look up the crime stats for the area and see how many students have been raped or pistol whipped last year. It’s not pretty, and the campus PDs as well as NOPD don’t really appear to be doing anything about it.
While I agree with you that yes, underage drinkers are breaking the law, what about those of us that are legally allowed to get drunk? Do my friends and I deserve to be robbed at gun or knife point on our walk home?
That is what you get for living in New Orleans…crime and lots of it. If you are unhappy or don’t feel safe then change schools.
So, the answer then is just defeatism? If everyone here were to leave because they felt unsafe, there would be no one left.