continuation of who's to blame blog post...

[Hmph]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25055723/

Woman Found Stabbed To Death In Chelsea Apartment

WNBC-TV
updated 39 minutes ago

NEW YORK - A woman was found stabbed to death in her Chelsea apartment late Sunday, police said.

The 60-year-old victim's long-term boyfriend found her body inside their 8th Avenue apartment, police said.

The woman had multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators are combing the area and also trying to determine how her assailant got into her building, which is staffed by a doorman.

[Hmph]

did you hear Sharpton or the NAACP complaining about this:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/09/nol ... index.html

updated 12:27 p.m. EDT, Mon June 9, 2008

# Armed robbery up 24 percent in first three months of 2008, statistics show
# Mayor Ray Nagin admits rise in violence "keeps me up at night"
# Resident: "It's unacceptably high as people are trying to decide whether to return"
# Jazz musician displaced by Hurricane Katrina says he's afraid to return

By Jim Clancy and Wayne Drash
CNN

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Jazz musician Henry Butler calls himself an ambassador of New Orleans music. He loves the city where he was born and lived for decades. But like tens of thousands of others displaced by Hurricane Katrina, he has yet to return to live.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Jazz musician Henry Butler calls himself an ambassador of New Orleans music. He loves the city where he was born and lived for decades. But like tens of thousands of others displaced by Hurricane Katrina, he has yet to return to live.

City officials and residents who remain in New Orleans are keenly aware of that perception. The city had a high crime rate long before Katrina. But many here say authorities must keep crime in check for the long-term health of the city -- and to attract back the more than 100,000 people displaced by the storm.

New Orleans is home to about 327,000 people, compared with 453,000 before Katrina, or about 72 percent of the population before the August 2005 storm, according to Mayor Ray Nagin's office. iReport: Are you rebuilding in the Gulf?

The FBI on Monday released its latest crime statistics based on 2007 figures. While violent crime across the nation was down, New Orleans bucked that trend: Murders rose from 162 in 2006 to 209 in 2007; rapes jumped from 87 to 115; and aggravated assault increased from 1,245 to 1,973, according to the FBI.

Eighty-five homicides have been recorded this year, slightly up from 83 by early June last year, New Orleans police spokesman Bob Young says. But violent crimes such as rape and armed robbery increased 57 percent and 24 percent, respectively, in the first three months of the year, compared with 2007, according to the most recent police statistics.

Some say the city's future hinges on whether it can tackle the crime crisis.

"Violent crime worries people," says Rafael Goyeneche, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, a local crime watchdog. "It's unacceptably high as people are trying to decide whether to return or remain here. That's critical."

Goyeneche says getting crime under control would enable the city not just to sustain itself but to thrive.

Nagin concedes he's also troubled by the spike in violence.

"That keeps me up at night," he says. "But on the flip side, I see a city that is struggling, getting better every day on the road to full recovery."

The mayor and police have launched a series of initiatives to try to curb the violence.

Patrol officers are working 12-hour shifts in June because crime typically jumps in summer, with certain high-crime areas targeted by a police task force.

Nagin also has pledged that 200 closed-circuit "crime cameras" will be in place around the city by July; about 60 percent of them are up and running, according to police.

Police are attracting and training new recruits, helped by a $1 million nationwide ad campaign. There are 1,435 police, with a target of 1,600 to get back up to pre-Katrina force levels, officials say.

About 360 Louisiana National Guardsmen have remained in the city to patrol hard-hit, scarcely populated areas. The Guard plans to start a phased withdrawal on July 1, but the mayor is seeking an extension -- a request that Gov. Bobby Jindal is considering.

Some residents demand to know when they'll be as safe as the tourists. Much of the violent crime has occurred far from the French Quarter and other popular tourist areas.

Moreover, some New Orleanians say they are worried the city risks being rebuilt on two different paths. One is a patchwork of unsafe, poor neighborhoods people want to escape, and the other is a secure tourist mecca attracting visitors from around the world.

"We really have to make the most of this. Not many cities have the opportunity to rebuild and we do," said Keva Landrum-Johnson, Orleans Parish district attorney. "So it is extremely critical and important we make the right choices."

She adds, "Right now what's plaguing us is the violent crime. We are working very hard to get those under control with the police department, but those numbers are very high right now."

A violent crime task force within her office boasts a 93 percent conviction rate, using better-paid, experienced prosecutors to take violent offenders off the streets.

The city also has gotten support from residents who say they won't tolerate crime anymore.

"The fundamental difference is citizen activism," Goyeneche says. "The objective is to rebuild the criminal justice system, not in the image of what it was pre-Katrina, but a more effective, efficient crime-fighting model."

Nagin agrees. "The citizens are stepping forward and saying, 'This is our city and we're going to fight for it and bring it back.' "

Nagin has faced withering criticism from many quarters since Katrina. In his recent State of the City address, he was notably optimistic and conciliatory. Against the backdrop of the Mississippi River, he praised the efforts of those rebuilding neighborhoods.

"Always improvising, reinventing and making a way out of no way, our citizens [are] changing course, like the river," he said.

Nagin tells CNN, "City Hall and what it represents has been a certain 'Big Easy' mentality. Citizens are now saying 'Look, we don't accept this.' They push me, they push the City Council, and I think it's all part of the process to make us a better environment."
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As for Butler, he'll keep playing the city's jazz. But he greets officials' statements about cracking down on crime with a dose of skepticism. In some ways, he sounds the tune of a blues man.

"I don't think they're interested in controlling the crime right now. They say they are, but they're not doing much about it. That's been the case for a long time," he says. "You would think if you really put a full effort into something, you could do it."

[Hmph]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25132390/

16592884_320X240.jpg

Veteran Teacher Victim Of Violent Robbery

WNBC-TV
updated 12:05 a.m. ET, Fri., June. 13, 2008

NEW YORK - A mugger has taught a teacher with four decades in the classroom a lesson in violence.

Police said they hope surveillance tape of the attack will help them catch the young purse-snatcher before he targets someone else.

In the tape, a young man is seen pushing an older woman down and hitting her in the face, stealing her bags in front of a Catholic school in Brooklyn.

"For a young guy to do that to an old woman, it?s ridiculous," parent Richard Russo said.

The victim, a 62-year-old math and computer teacher, has taught at Good Shepherd School for 43 years.

Patricia McGowan has always been very faithful and is loved by the families of the parish, Monsignor Thomas Brady said of the victim.

He said McGowan insisted on arriving early every morning, but on Monday, her devotion to duty made her the prey of a violent predator.

The thief took her bag and minutes later took her car, but police said they later recovered her vehicle.

Her neighbor said her face is swollen and bruised from the attack.

Both parents and students at the school said they are shocked that such a terrible crime could have happened to such a wonderful person.

"She's a great teacher," Rosemarie Clifford said. "They all love her."

Police said that by airing the video, they hope witnesses will come forward and help find the mugger.

[Hmph]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25136199/

Bronx Correction Officer Shot, Wounded

WNBC-TV
updated 6:16 a.m. ET, Fri., June. 13, 2008

An off-duty New York City correction officer has been shot in the Bronx. Police responded to a 911 call early Friday morning on a person shot near Walton Avenue; they found the 38-year-old correction officer with four gunshot wounds.

Witnesses tell WNBC.com they heard as many as a dozen shots ring out.

Police said the correction officer was shot twice in an arm and twice in the buttocks. He is in stable condition at a hospital.

No one has been arrested in the shooting.

Investigators are looking into what led to the shooting.

[Hmph]

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?secti ... id=6203152

Police: Four arrested in Craigslist robberies

Friday, June 13, 2008 | 9:58 AM
Eyewitness News

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- They were internet postings too good to be true. In Brooklyn, four are under arrest -- accused of posting Apple iPhones for sale on Craigslist, then robbing their unsuspecting customers.

Eyewitness News reporter Jaime Roth has more on the story.

Police arrested the men in Flatlands Brooklyn. They found them by seeing the web posting on craigslist. They thought it looked suspicious because they had seen similar postings before.

Police say the suspects tried past themselves off as salesmen with discounts on iPhones. In reality, their plan was just to lure unsuspecting buyers to desolate locations in Flatbush and Flatlands, Brooklyn -- with the purpose of robbing them.

Officials say the men placed an ad on the website Craigslist, offering a bulk sale of iPhones at a certain price. The men would then wait for a buyer to take their bait, and contact them. Then they'd set up a meeting, when the buyer arrived they would rob them of cash and any possessions.

The reportedly stuck with this same ploy for three months. Police say it all came to an end on Wednesday when undercover robbery investigators beat them at their own game.

Police say there have been 12 of these types of robberies. They believe these four men are responsible for 4 of them.

The suspects - Orival Michael, 19, Elorge Zamy, 20, Ulyses Campbell, 18, and Christopher Tharvil, 19, all of Brooklyn - were charged with robbery, weapons possession and conspiracy to commit robbery.
(Copyright ©2008 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

[Hmph]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25174522/

16613155_320X240.jpg

Police Hunt For Delivery Imposters Who Robbed Woman, 80

WNBC-TV
updated 1:15 p.m. ET, Sun., June. 15, 2008

NEW YORK - Police said they are searching for two people who posed as delivery drivers to rob an elderly woman in Queens.

Police released a sketch of one man. They said he and a woman went to a Rosedale house in late May and said they had a package to deliver.

When an 80-year-old woman opened the door, they barged in, tied her up and robbed her, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

[Hmph]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25174033/

Newark Police Arrest One Of City's 12 Most Wanted

16612974_320X240.jpg

WNBC-TV
updated 12:24 p.m. ET, Sun., June. 15, 2008

NEWARK, N.J. - The Newark Police Department's Fugitive Apprehension Team arrested one of the city's 12 most wanted criminals this week. Keith Herd, 20, of Newark was wanted by police for playing a role in a March 12 incident during which police said he shot and wounded an 18-year-old Newark man. He was also wanted for a role he played in a March 21 incident in which he and two other suspects, also in custody, committed an armed robbery and assault of a 21-year-old Newark woman, police said.

Police said Herd, who was considered armed and dangerous, was arrested on June 10 at about 8 a.m. on Runyon Street without incident. He was charged in both incidents with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon. The first incident also carried a charge of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and the second incident added charges of robbery and conspiracy.

Two other men, both of Newark, were arrested and charged in connection with the March 21 armed robbery and assault. Miles McCloud, 27, and Jaquwin Marlin, 20, were both charged with robbery and conspiracy while McCloud was additionally charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

[Hmph]

hey, whadaknow, a white guy. I guess they're trying to take crime over too, not be left out. j/k but seriously crime is generally down. but for whatever reason in the areas of Sharpton and Barron supporters crime is ridiculously high

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25177040/

Man With Knife Breaks Into West Village Apartment

WNBC-TV
updated 4:47 p.m. ET, Sun., June. 15, 2008

Police said they are searching for a man in his 30s who forced open the front door of an apartment at 131 W. 11th St. at about 6 a.m. Wednesday and found the resident -- a 41-year-old woman -- inside. Police said the man fled the scene once confronted by the resident. They are asking the public's assistance in identifying and locating the man.

The man is described as a white male in his 30s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall with blond hair, light eyes and a muscular build.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call 800-577-TIPS.

[Hmph]

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?secti ... id=6217867

Woman found dead in her bathtub

Friday, June 20, 2008 | 4:09 PM

BRONX (WABC) -- A woman was discovered dead, stabbed multiple times, in the bathtub of her Bronx apartment.

Police say the woman, identified as 49-year-old Olga Rodriguez, was discovered in her basement apartment at 715 Eagle Avenue.

She was in her bathtub, stabbed multiple times to the torso, according to police.

The building superintendent discovered the body.

Authorities did not immediately name a suspect.

[Hmph]

now this massive operation went on for a long time, and the neighbors just sat by and let it happen. I don't believe that nobody saw nothing nonsense, because in the hood, you can't step outside without everyone looking each other over from head to toe - thus the need to be decked out in trendy clothes, looking clean as the board of health!

but if an officer had to shoot a suspect during an arrest for any reason, break out the "violating our civil rights" protests! so "civil rights" now means living with daily organized crime??? great job, again, Sharpton, Barron and local NAACP

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?secti ... id=6215239

Police take down drug, gun ring in Bronx
Thursday, June 19, 2008 | 12:43 PM

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A crime ring dubbed the "Grand Concourse Crew" was busted dealing drugs and selling guns by essentially taking over a string of apartment buildings on the busy Bronx commercial strip.

Eyewitness News has learned at least 18 members of the "crew" were charged following raids on 1215, 1236 and 1269 Grand Concourse that started early yesterday morning.

The raids, a joint FBI and NYPD operation, reportedly netted drugs and guns that were carried out by agents in boxes.

The suspects were hit with a multitude of federal gun and drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to distribute.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia and FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Donald Ackerman will hold an 11 a.m. news conference at Police Headquarters to discuss the arrests.

Officials say the busts broke up a dangerous ring that peddled crack cocaine and weapons illegally run up the Interstate 95 corridor from South Carolina to the Bronx.

Agents bought guns and semi-automatic weapons from some of the suspects, who bragged one of the weapons was used "to shoot a cop."

Large amounts of crack cocaine were also allegedly purchased inside 1269 Grand Concourse, a six-story apartment building virtually taken over by dealers.

Members of the so-called "Grand Concourse Crew" acted as look-outs in front of the building, to warn others when police were in the area, according to police.

The criminal activity virtually took over the apartment building, where dealers frequently sold drugs in the open lobby area in front of residents, including children.