murders1.gif

New Orleans has now recorded at least its 219th murder of 2007.

The latest murder occurred Friday morning in the French Quarter.

Additionally, two more victims of the daily, multiple shootings in the city have died.

Random or targeted?

The NOPD has not yet announced whether the latest murder was “random” or “targeted.” either way, one is supposed to take some comfort from the designation.

Anomalies

1. According to Mayor Ray Nagin and NOPD Superintendent Warren Riley, one does not have to be in fear of being murdered in New Orleans unless one is a young, black, male involved in the drug trade.

The latest victim is a young, white, female. Whether she was a drug dealer has not been made known.

2. According to the above referenced sources tourists shouldn’t be concerned about being murdered unless they go into a bad section of town. (Unfortunately, many of the residents of New Orleans actually live in a bad section of town.)

The French Quarter where the victim was found is not normally considered a bad section of town.

An effort is under way to encourage residents of New Orleans to be a “tourist in your own home town.” That’s excellent advice. It’s much safer, particularly in one currently lives in a bad section of town.

3. Ibid sources above indicate that tourists have little reason to fear being murdered. The NOPD’s investigation indicates that the latest victim may have been a “street person”

Being a “street person,” whatever that means in police lingo doesn’t necessarily preclude the victim being a tourist.

Back in the day, I’ve been known to spend quite a bit of time on the streets of the French Quarter as a tourist and I didn’t have a hotel room the entire time.

4. In what could be considered a victory for gun control advocates, the latest victim was NOT shot. She was “bludgeoned” to death.

That begs the question of whether “bludgeons” should be outlawed. For those that don’t know, a “bludgeon” is a short stick with one end is larger than the other and is used as a weapon.

Perhaps trees should be outlawed because without trees there would be no sticks, short or otherwise.

Count discrepancy

Finally, for those who continue to question why the Daily Monoply reports a murder total that is lower than mine, I have this to say: I stand by the DM’s First Amendment Right to be wrong.

More as it happens. And it will.

C.B.