Thus far in 2013 there have been 20 murders in
unincorporated Jefferson Parish compared with 12 last year.
Speaking to WWL-TV, Sheriff Newell Normand said that 14 of
the 20 murders were “relational”.
"The victim and the suspect know each other,"
Normand said.
I don’t know if that is supposed to comfort us or why
Sheriff Normand would try to deflect the message.
I am surprised though that our allegedly full-time Sheriff
who is also Chairman of a Hospital Board while promoting the removal of voting rights for Jefferson Parish residents; is the Director of another
Corporation and a Non-Profit; pushed through
the massive rezoning of Fat City trampling on the rights of individuals
and property owners and leaving hundreds unemployed; and who is now floating the idea of becoming Governor (when does he find time to sleep?), tried to
downplay Jefferson Parish’s increased murder rate while discussing JP’s lower
overall crime rate, down 3.5%.
"We are encouraged, but I don't like the fact that
people are solving conflicts by killing one another," said Sheriff
Normand.
Yeah, me neither Sheriff Normand. Me neither.
What is most alarming and that was not mentioned by WWL-TV
is the fact that more JP murders traditionally occur in the 2nd half
of the year. Not an encouraging thought for JP residents.
But, since it’s mostly “relational” according to Normand, it might
be best to spend the next few months in a cocoon or pretend you’re a groundhog.
By the way, how’s that whole Fat City redevelopment coming
along Sheriff?