6th District NONPACC meeting 02/19/2008        

The meeting was led by Major Robert Bardy, and other 6th District officers were in attendance. Roughly two dozen community members attended.

1.         General news.

Major Bardy announced that, due to the success of the Job Fair held in Central City in the fall of 2007, there would be another in the spring of 2008. The date has yet to be finalized, but should be announced soon.

  1. Major Bardy reminded the community about the 6th District’s Email Blast.  Sign-up is available at each NONPACC meeting.
  2. Officer Nicola Cotton was killed in the line of duty while serving at the 6th District. Major Bardy said that she “was in her purview … just overpowered” by the person arrested for her murder. Officer Cotton had been born and raised in Central City. NBA Cares, the social responsibility initiative of the National Basketball Association, has announced that it will work with Kaboom! to build a playspot in Officer Cotton’s honor at Mahalia Jackson Elementary. The Central City Comeback Committee will also develop a program to work with young girls, which was another interest of Officer Cotton’s.
  3. A community member asked for help with the vacant lot at Camp and Thalia streets. He felt that the combination of homeless people and high grass was a potential fire hazard. Quality of life officers Favaloro and Joia spoke with the gentleman at length.
  4. The attempted robbery on St. Charles Ave. between 1st and 2nd streets on February 19 was believed to be perpetrated by a group of young people that the 6th District has been monitoring for some time. Several of the youths in question have been probated and are wearing ankle bracelets. Major Bardy is working to get a list of the probated youths in the district to keep better tabs on them and their activities, but this requires an order from a Juvenile Court judge.
  5. The problem with the crime cameras was brought up and Major Bardy indicated that no over-arching solution was on the horizon.

2.         Irish Channel news.

a.       Major Bardy announced that his officers had made four gun arrests on the previous Saturday night and continue efforts to bring the Irish Channel under full control.

b.      He also described his meeting with the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association at that group’s February meeting. He stressed that is important for citizens to know their police.

c.       Major Bardy also discussed the ongoing problems in the 700 block of Washington Avenue. He identified the youths as belonging to the “Skull Street Mafia.” Many of these youths also wear ankle bracelets and Major Bardy hopes to have more complete information on them as soon as the court allows. This will provide a better ability to track these youths and protect the community.

3.         Next meeting.

The next NONPACC meeting will be on March 18, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 2020 St. Charles Ave. The regular meeting time will be on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. for the foreseeable future.