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