WDSU Crimestoppers Blog

Stop Snitchin Campaign

Recently, there was a story in the news about the “Stop Snitchin” message some rap stars are using in their music and merchandising.

Do you believe that this message is hurting our youth and should be dealt with by the public? Or is this just freedom of speech for the performers?

If you believe that this message is harmful, what can we do as a community to break the code of silence?

If people don't tell what they know, the circle of violence never ends and the criminals know that they have taken control.

- Darlene Cusanza / Crimestoppers Executive Director

http://www.crimestoppersgno.org

Crimestoppers Aks: Are Crime Cameras Worth It?

The benefits of crime cameras have come under discussion recently, leaving citizens left to ponder whether the investment is truly a good tool in our crime fighting efforts.

In a recent article in the Times-Picayune a District Attorney’s spokesperson says the cameras have been used as evidence in criminal cases twice in the last four years.

A Crimestoppers tip led to the arrest in the Louisiana Avenue Car Wash shootings. But even with video surveillance from the location, only one of three suspects has pleaded guilty. The other two cases are pending.

Do you believe the installation of crime cameras across the city of New Orleans is a worthwhile investment?

- Darlene Cusanza / Crimestoppers Executive Director

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

I experienced a modern-day, true version of the old Clint Eastwood western at the VooDoo game in the Arena on March 9th.

The VooDoo homecoming game was pretty special for my son, my husband and me. We're big VooDoo fans! Before Katrina, we bought our young son an AFL football so he could get autographs from players after the games. He brought his football to the home-opener to get players to sign it.

After holding the football for a while, I took the suggestion of the nice lady sitting two seats down and set my son's football in the spare seat between us.

There was a group of well-mannered teenagers sitting in the row behind me, and there were two young men, sitting on that same row, a few seats to my left.

I recognized these same two men who stopped me near the food concession earlier in the evening.

My husband left his seat for a moment to answer a phone call.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye, those two guys had moved closer, now positioning themselves directly behind the spare seat. A few minutes later, I noticed the football was gone.

So, here's the "Good": One of the young ladies behind me alerted me she witnessed those same two guys "steal the ball and hide it under their seat".

Without hesitating, I jumped over my own seat like it wasn't there, determined to get back my son's football from the thief who stole it from him. And, I'm grateful the Good Samaritan who saw it happen had the courage to stand right there with me.

Here's the "Bad": What kind of punk would steal from a child? The same punks who didn't have the guts to admit they just robbed a little boy, and the same punks who made no apology when caught red-handed.

The "ugly" surfaced when the thieves refused to give back my son's football. I must apologize to those who witnessed the use of some ugly, unlady-like language in my anger and disgust.

The football was right there where the Good Samaritan said it would be. Make no mistake, I got the football back. How do I know it was my son's football? It had his name on it written in permanent ink.

Thank you, to the young lady sitting behind me for doing the right thing. For being a Crimestopper!

I hope her actions will be a lesson for all of us. We have to look out for each other and have the courage to do the right thing.

Next time, the football stays home.

- Kriss Fairbairn / WDSU NewsChannel 6 Anchor

Crimestoppers Asks: Would You Turn In Your Family?

In the recent carjacking of the infant from Mississippi, a family member returned the child to police. Officers say told them she has rescued the baby. Police soon discovered that the women lied. Officers say she was trying to protect her family member who committed the crime.

If you knew a friend or family member who has committed a crime, would you report them to the police or Crimestoppers?

As a community, how can we make families or neighborhoods accountable for harboring criminals?

- Darlene Cusanza / Crimestoppers Executive Director

Crimestoppers Says: Early Release Of Criminals

The early release of arrested criminals in New Orleans due to the 60 day processing window, has received much needed publicity over the past few months.

No matter where we place the blame for these shortfalls in our criminal justice system, the results can be destructive to the piece of mind of citizens. History shows that many criminals are repeat offenders, thus leaving many to wonder if these individuals will break the law once again as they are freed from jail.

Do you believe we are doing everything we can as a city to hold this process in check and to protect our citizens?

Darlene Cusanza
Executive Director
Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers Asks: Is Mardi Gras A Distraction For Criminals?

Mardi Gras 2007 was a great success by most standards. But, violence surrounding the end of Mardi Gras and during Ash Wednesday, four shootings in New Orleans in less than a day, certainly tarnished Mardi Gras' affect for both tourists and locals a like.

Since the incidence of violent crime seemed to escalate during the end of the festivities, do you believe that the distraction of Mardi Gras activities kept criminals focused on it's merriment, instead of committing crime?

- Darlene Cusanza

Executive Director

Crimestoppers

Be A Crimestopper

You can be a Crimestopper by telling us what’s happening in your neighborhood. Add a comment and let us know what’s working in your neighborhood, and what still needs to be done.

We’re hoping to post your comments, and invite guest bloggers to keep us posted on what’s happening in their neighborhoods. Together, we can help create safer communities.

Kriss Fairbairn: It's Working!

Crimestoppers has seen unprecedented success in the past few weeks. Since the announcement of the partnership between WDSU NewsChannel 6 and Crimestoppers, nearly half of the suspects featured in the recent, most-wanted campaign have been arrested.

Thanks to the tips called in to Crimestoppers by ordinary citizens, some of the most violent suspects wanted in our area are now off our streets. Thousands of dollars in cash awards have been given to those who had the courage to do the right thing. For their sense of duty, they have been rewarded. Callers do not have to give their name. They do not have to testify in court to get the cash.

Please continue to support the efforts of Crimestoppers and our local law enforcement agencies.

- Kriss Fairbairn / WDSU NewsChannel 6 Anchor

Sheriff Says: Stopping Future Crimes?

Crimestoppers is probably the very best crime-fighting tool we have at our disposal. Many of the crimes we solve are because of leads given to us by Crimestoppers.

Now, Crimestoppers has agreed to collect tips, not only on crimes that have already been committed, but also from people who suspect people in their neighborhood may commit future crimes.

Crimestoppers will now pass along those tips to law enforcement too. Do you think this will help?

- Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee