Crime worries rise as economy hurts

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

On Thanksgiving, my mother- and father-in-law spent much of the day at my house, which is just three or four streets away from their home.

When they returned home after dark, they were shocked to find that someone had stolen their new lawn equipment. So, on a day when everyone is supposed to be having a lovely time with family and friends and being thankful for all that they have, my in-laws were having their stuff stolen.

We live in Marrero, on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. My street is filled with rental properties, and it seems new tenants are coming and going all the time. There’s a bar on the corner. Don’t get me wrong: I like where I live. Sometimes, though, I don’t always feel safe.

A lifelong resident of the New Orleans area, I’m not surprised by crime. It’s a fact of life in these parts. Just open The Times-Picayune on any given day and chances are you’ll find a story about a homicide in Orleans Parish.

But as the economy continues to struggle — today the U.S. economy was officially declared to be in recession — can we expect an upswing in crime in the New Orleans area? Will there be more muggings and burglaries by people who can’t find work or can’t make ends meet?

The economic slowdown is being blamed for crime in other parts of the U.S., such as south Florida. The types of criminals reportedly on the rise there: pickpockets, shoplifters, car thieves and burglars.