Just when you thought it was safe to go back into New Orleans, a new danger to human life and property has emerged: the New Orleans Police Department.
New Orleans police allegedly stole some 200 cars from a dealership well before Katrina even made landfall.
Doug Stead, president and general manager of the dealership, said the cars may have been taken before the hurricane even roared into town Aug. 29.
He said the cars included 88 new Cadillacs and Chevrolets, 40 used cars, 52 customers’ cars and a restored 1970 El Camino and 1966 Impala.
“We put the loss on new cars at $3.7 million,” he said. “The used cars ran another $900,000.”
When reports first surfaced last month that officers may have taken the cars, New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley said it was not considered looting because the officers used the cars to patrol the city.
“There were some officers who did use Cadillacs,” he said. “Those cars were not stolen.”
Friday, police spokesman Capt. Marlon Defillo said it was cooperating with the attorney general’s investigation.
Police are also investigating 12 officers for allegedly looting or failing to stop looting, and about 250 officers – roughly 15 percent of the force — could face discipline for leaving their posts without permission during Katrina and its aftermath. — Associated Press
And in more recent days, police beat a 64-year-old man and attacked a television cameraman on Sunday.
Two New Orleans police officers repeatedly punched a 64-year-old man accused of public intoxication, and another city officer assaulted an Associated Press Television News producer as a cameraman taped the confrontations.
There will be a criminal investigation, and the three officers were to be suspended, arrested and charged with simple battery Sunday, Capt. Marlon Defillo said.
“We have great concern with what we saw this morning,” Defillo said after he and about a dozen other high-ranking police department officials watched the APTN footage Sunday. “It’s a troubling tape, no doubt about it. … This department will take immediate action.”
The assaults come as the department, long plagued by allegations of brutality and corruption, struggles with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the resignation last month of Police Superintendent Eddie Compass.
The APTN tape shows an officer hitting the man at least four times in the head Saturday night as he stood outside a bar near Bourbon Street. The suspect, Robert Davis, appeared to resist, twisting and flailing as he was dragged to the ground by four officers. One of the four then kneed Davis and punched him twice. Davis was face-down on the sidewalk with blood streaming down his arm and into the gutter.
Meanwhile, a fifth officer ordered APTN producer Rich Matthews and the cameraman to stop recording. When Matthews held up his credentials and explained he was working, the officer grabbed the producer, leaned him backward over a car, jabbed him in the stomach and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade.
“I’ve been here for six weeks trying to keep … alive. … Go home!” shouted the officer, who later identified himself as S.M. Smith. — Associated Press
Three officers in this case have been suspended and are now facing battery charges. They have entered not guilty pleas and will stand trial January 11.
Video is available from the Associated Press.
Update: The battery victim, Robert Davis, said Monday that he was not drunk at the time of the incident, and is “baffled” by the police action. “I haven’t had a drink in 25 years,” Davis told the Associated Press.
There are so many reports of police running amok in New Orleans, I hardly know what to do with them anymore.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Lenny Zimmermann
Oct 11, 2005
Sadly, this isn’t even hurricane related news, really. We’ve long had major issues with corruption in the NOPD, they are just getting a bit more national light on them right now because of Katrina. It’s not like this isn’t a common occurence in the city, it’s just getting a lot more attention right now.
Anonymous
Dec 31, 2006
I hate NOPD they are so dirty……
nolaresd
Feb 23, 2007
God bless the NOPD. All of the arent bad. A group of them helped rescue me during Katrina.
Thomas Snell
Apr 18, 2007
I had my wallet stolen from a New Orleans police officer with 200 dollars in it after he frisked me for what he called “a routine patdown” during 2001 Mardi Gras. I never reported the incident because I knew the other officers would just cover up the incident and I took it as a loss.
Robert Williams
May 01, 2007
A former girlfriend of mine had a new orleans cop stalk her for several years and would listen to her personal telephone calls from a scanner outside her house. his name was sgt paul accardo. what a freak! I read in the news that he later killed himself because he was expected to perform his duties as a police officer during a time of crisis. this guy was obviously mentally ill for years prior to his suicide.
To Robert Williams
May 12, 2007
What the fuck is wrong with you?
Anne Accardo
Jun 06, 2007
To Robert Williams,
Wow, were you here for the aftermath of Katrina? Did you know Paul? I am just wondering where in the hell you get off passing such judgment. I am Sgt. Paul Accardo’s widow. You have no idea what you are talking about. My husband was a loving, wonderful man and the most loyal police officer for the NOPD. It was his PASSION, to say the least. I challenge you to find one individual that would have a different opinion.
This event was the worst disaster to have happened in the history of the United States. Paul, our police dept, first responders, etc are heroes and I don’t know how anyone can say anything different.
You know, I happen to have had contact with your former girlfriend after this tragedy. Whatever issues she and Paul had, she still cared about him and was extremely respectful.
I hope and pray that you or anyone that you care about NEVER have to go through something as painful as this event was for my family, friends and all those that knew Paul.
He will be forever missed.
Hatedirtycops
Jun 14, 2007
The NOPD is nothing more than a disgrace. Karma: What goes around, comes around. I hope those dirty cops on the force (apparently the majority) get what they’ve got coming to them.
LOVE4NOPD
Aug 02, 2007
I have only lived in New Orleans for 4 months now. I got stationed here with the Coast Guard. I have no complaints about the NOPD. I have had to talk to New Orleans police officers for different reasons and have been treated with great respect. I believe that anywhere you go, you have some officers that shouldn’t really be there for one reason or another but that’s anywhere… I respect the officers that are still here after Katrina because THEY DON’T HAVE TO BE and without them, this city would be SO MUCH worse. John Fulgencio and Scott Lindsly are 2 specifically I have had encountered and were very respectful and helpful! So, thanks to those guys and any other officers out there that are doing their job the right way! You guys are great! Keep up the amazing job you all do and ignore all the critics! Do your job right and be proud! Be careful out there!
Nancy Baudin
Aug 15, 2007
Anne,
My name is Nancy Baudin. I was very good friends w/ Paul during my employment w/ lakeview Fidelity Homestead. Paul would come in everyday after getting his coffee at Chateau Cafe! I was employed at Fidelity from 1991-2005. I quit after being robbed 3x at gunpoint. Your husband tried to protect me and my girls so much. He always gave us tips on where to park, what to do in a dangeruous situation, just a great guy! He gave all of us official police whistles!I still have mine today. I did not learn of Paul’s death till much later after and was very upset! I am so sorry for your loss and would love to meet w/you one day. He spoke so highly of you. I even know all about your Hawaii honeymoon.He always spoke about you but I think he was always on his quard. Call me if you would like to have lunch. My number is 504-427-7330. Nancy Baudin
Robert Williams
Oct 30, 2007
to nancy baudin: yes, I’m sure paul accardo would come in everyday to “protect you and your girlfriends” at the bank, just like he would visit my girlfriend’s house everyday to stalk her. word of advice: don’t be blind to the ways of the world, even if you think its a “friend”.
Robert Williams
Oct 30, 2007
also, nancy, I would like to inform you that your telephone number 504-427-7330 , is fake.
Anonymous
Nov 12, 2007
Robert Williams,
Sounds to me like you are the one with the obsession. you did not know Paul. And if you have an ounce of human decency, you will just give it a rest.
Micheal Vickerson
Nov 13, 2007
Sounds to me like there may be some fact to Robert Williams’ account of his story involving officer accardo. the nopd does have a verified history of corruption. even so, the deceased officer does deserve to be laid to rest.
Anonymous
Nov 14, 2007
To Michael Vickerson,
thank you for your comment. I have one last thing to add in paul’s defense. This is in NO way validation of robert williams’ story, but the nopd’s history of corruption and something that may or may not have happened in paul’s personal life, have zero connection. Regardless of the NOPD’s reputation, he was highly respected throughout the city of new orleans and surrounding areas for his professionalism as a spokesman for the NOPD. His job performance from the beginning of his career with the NOPD to the very end was far from corrupt.
Now, let’s put this to rest.
Thank you.
Robert Williams
Dec 11, 2007
I remember a long time ago a lt eddie rantz, a new orleans police officer, was given the assignment of transporting the wife of police officer ronnie williams who was killed in the line of duty, to the funeral services of that officer. officer williams, married to mrs mary buras/williams, was killed by another new orleans police officer, officer anoinette frank, during a botched robbery of a n.o. east restaurant. it is common knowledge that lt rantz had sexual intercourse with mrs buras during her time of servere emotional stress which in any case would exonerate her from such actions but would certainly place a serious fault against the officer who used his position as a police officer to commit a shameless act. these allegations, if given the proper consideration by a impartial body, can easily be verified by numerous members of the new orleans police dept.
Anonymous
Dec 13, 2007
what is wrong with those dirty pigs
Anonymous
Dec 13, 2007
it really is the dept of homeland stupidity afterall
Bill Slagle
Dec 24, 2007
I am a travel agent and took a group to New Orleans for a 3 night weekend in my rv. The first night, after leaving my group on Bourbon Street, I proceeded to walk back to the French Quarter RV Park. After making it one block, I was stopped and questioned by the police, then handcuffed and arrested for public drunkeness and obstructing a public place. After spending 2 days in that nasty jail, I was finally released after going to a special Saturday Morning Court and pleading guilty. After being released Saturday Evening, my watch, blackberry, camera and wallet were returned to me, but the wallet was empty. When I was arrested the wallet had 50 Euros and $200 in U.S. currency. After complaining to the police department, they told me to check with the arresting officer, as the wallet was empty when I arrived at lock up. I have called and left messages for the officer, A.O. Ludwig, but of course he has not returned my calls. I understand he is a new recruit and has learned how to falsely arrest and rob tourists his first few weeks on the job! I have reported him to NOPD Internal Affairs and to the New Orleans FBI Office and am awaiting their response. I am not confident anythiing will be done after researching all the corruption in the New Orleans Police Department, but am positive I will never bring another group to New Orleans!
Anonymous
Jan 05, 2008
to Bill Slagle: the nopd internal affairs division is not a group of outside individuals whose sole intent is to right the wrongs committed by nopd officers, but are ranking officers from the nopd who have spent years themselves committing offenses against the public and have probably somewhere in their career actually taught other officers how to steal.
Bill Slagle
Jan 06, 2008
It’s been about 3 weeks since I reported the corrupt officers to the Internal Affairs and the New Orleans FBI Office. They both told me that someone would be back in touch with me within two weeks of my complaint. It has now been 3 weeks and not a word from either one. Guess the entire City of New Orleans is corrupt, perhaps the whole state. What a shame, as New Orleans might have been a good place to visit otherwise. Never again, and don’t recommend anyone go there! Let them all starve to death when they run out of tourists to rob.
Anonymous
Feb 05, 2008
I remember officer paul accardo. he and several other officers worked a private detail at the House of Blues club in new orleans years ago. I was a female on the staff at hob at the time. Myself and the other staff members would laugh at the way the officers would take turns walking to the sleazy strip club on the next block and walking back quickly as if no one noticed. We all agreed we wish we had a job that easy.
Anonymous
Feb 06, 2008
i guess it is my fault for continuing to view this ridiculous blog. only reason i can think of why i do is b/c i miss paul so much. however, i feel like i am being stabbed in the heart every time i see a comment about him. to the female on the staff at HOB, what was the point of even mentioning him? you are all very crude and disrespectful people. don’t ya’ll get it? he is dead. gone. he was a good man. just leave him alone. please, just leave him alone.
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