When the police arrive at crime scene, what will they find? I'm not talking about evidence. I am talking about support from the people who live there. Will the people step forward and try to be helpful? Or will they hide behind closed doors and refuse to testify out of fear, complacency or anger. Or worse, do they interfere? What is this Vietnam in 1968?

The 2006 murders in Central City were interesting for what the police did not find. Five young men were shot to death in a hail of bullets as they sat in their car at 4am. Sitting in a car at 4am is curious behavior, suspicious behavior, but not actually a crime. Although the victims had recently been booked in a drive by shooting incident and one was awaiting trial for pot possession, the police reported no guns or drugs at the scene. Do you honestly believe that five guys were sitting in their car listening to the radio, perhaps discussing sports? Who took the guns and drugs away (ghouls)?

Why is this not the story? Finally in February 2007 the New York Times reported that  In New Orleans, Dysfunction Fuels Cycle of Killing  the report started with a description of the motivation behind crime, goes on to discuss the public distrust of the police and the ineffectiveness of the DA and courts. It winds up with the chilling news that witnesses are actively suppressed by criminals.

Citizen's actions like Neighborhood Watch seem old and out of date. The street signs are still in place but they are faded just the the interest of the citizens behind them. Crimestoppers Anonymous tip line is more in keeping with the times. You can even get a reward if your tip results in a conviction. Drug Free zones around schools double the penalties for certain crimes in certain areas.

Witness protection programs are another interesting concept. At first they were for organized crime insiders. Now they seem to be for anyone foolish enough to challenge the thugs. When did the thugs become so powerful? Warren Riley advocates a change for witnesses that would allow them to testify in private facing only the accused rather than a courtroom full of his family friends and fellow gang members.

I felt threatened as I was interviewed for jury duty on a murder trial. Looking around the courtroom I saw the defendant, nicely dressed, next to his attorney appearing as innocent as he could.  Immediately behind him sat what appeared to be his family members. Along the periphery of the courtroom I saw what I can only describe as thugs engaged in continuous activity that seemed to have little to do with the proceedings at hand. Are we going to need jury protection programs in the future?

Citizens who buy drugs are fueling the firestorm of crime with the money it needs to survive. Lawmakers who fail to see the relationship between public prohibition policy and the crime it fosters are partly to blame for sending a message full of contradictions.

In July two people were murdered in their bedrooms. Others in the house refused to identify the killers when questioned by the police. They planned revenge and could not be deterred. A few hours later the killer was shot by one of them in his home. Ordinary citizens watch these events aghast. The next murder victim had a rap sheet containing 45 counts of violent and ordinary crimes. He died in his front yard surrounded by needles and drug paraphernalia.

In Jefferson Parish, rapper C-Murder was under house arrest in July while he awaited trial on murder charges. He has a history of violent behavior and has repeatedly violated the terms of his house arrest. He reportedly tried to intimidate witnesses using a cell phone he got from someone while he was locked up. But he wasn't alone. Upon appeal it was revealed that prosecution witnesses testified without revealing their criminal records which were subsequently expunged. This was the basis for overturning his original conviction. Now the DA has a real problem in retrying this case. Some blog sites are suggesting Miller be set free to let street justice take its course.

Over the last weekend of  July 2006 six murders were committed in a forty-eight hour period. One was just outside a daiquiri bar in plan sight of "dozens of patrons."  But there are no witnesses and the police have no suspect.