Author: QR Staff

FQMD meeting scheduled to discuss $1.5M funding for public safety, quality of life

The French Quarter Management District Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public meeting Monday evening to provide information and solicit public input on a one-time $1.5 million appropriation from the state of Louisiana to pay for public safety and quality of life programming.

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the New Orleans Marriott Mardi Gras Ballroom located at 555 Canal St.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the funding opportunity. Written public comments will be accepted before the meeting starts. More information can be found in FQMD’s public comment policy, including how to submit written public comments and procedures for making live comments. 

The Board of Commissioners agenda can be found on the FQMD’s website. All FQMD Board of Commissioners meetings are open to the public.

NOPD investigates shooting death near Decatur, St. Philip streets

New Orleans Police are investigating a shooting death of a man that occurred near the intersection of Decatur and St. Philip streets on Saturday, officials said.

Records show that police responded to the shooting at about 9:01 p.m. NOPD officials said the shooting occurred in between the railroad tracks and the Mississippi River, near the intersection.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the NOPD, which did not identify the man. Suspect information was not provided.

The shooting was near the route of the annual Krewe of Boo Halloween parade, which occurred earlier in the evening.

NOPD seeks to ID alleged Canal Street Saks Fifth Avenue fraudsters

New Orleans Police are seeking help to identify and locate two people wanted in connection to an automobile theft and attempted access device fraud at a Saks Fifth Avenue on Canal Street earlier this month.

Officials on Friday said that a gray 2021 Dodge Ram pickup truck was reported missing in the 3600 block of Rue Andree on Oct. 5, and that the victim stated his wallet and credit cards were in the vehicle.

Later that day, two suspects were observed on surveillance video footage attempting to use the victim’s credit cards at Saks, which is located in the 300 lock of Canal Street.

Anyone with information bout this this incident or with information as to the identity of these subjects is asked to contact any Fourth District detective at 504-658-6040. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

The NOPD released surveillance camera footage of the alleged suspects:

Restaurant Observations, Analysis, Corrections and Health Report

The Quarter Rat’s Restaurant Observations, Analysis, Corrections and Health (ROACH) Report lists the most recent East Safe Louisiana inspections at French Quarter dining establishments, and are taken from the Department of Health’s website. Inspections are conducted randomly and unannounced, and are a matter of public record. For more information on inspections conducted at New Orleans dining establishments, visit ldh.la.gov.

Sept. 6
3rd Block Depot Kitchen (restaurant)
310 Chartres St.
10:30 a.m.
Critical violation
Flies are present in the establishment.

Kingfish Restaurant
339 Chartres St.
11:40 a.m.
Critical violation:
Rodents are present in the establishment.

Sept. 13
Westin New Orleans Canal Place (bar)
100 Iberville St.
10:40 a.m.
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment.
Sept. 20 Follow-up
No violations.

Sept. 14
Sylvain Restaurant
625 Chartres St.
3:40 p.m.
Critical violation:
Rodents are present in the establishment. Pest control provided [corrected on site].

Sept. 19
American Town House
1012 N. Rampart St.
2:30 p.m..
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment. Fruit flies in dish machine area.
Sept. 20 Follow-up
No violations.

Voodoo Tavern & Poboys (restaurant)
1140 Decatur St.
3:35 p.m.
Critical violation:
Rodents are present in the establishment [corrected on site].

The Market Cafe Bar
1000 Decatur St.
5:45 p.m.
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment [corrected on site].
Sept. 22 Follow-up
No violations.

The Market Cafe Restaurant
1000 Decatur St.
4:20 PM
Critical violation:
Rodents are present in the establishment. Pest control provided [corrected on site].

Sept. 20
I-HOP
833 Canal St.
12:15 p.m.
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment.

Sept. 25
The Fillmore New Orleans-BG Bar
6 Canal St.
12:15 p.m.
Critical violation
Flies are present in the establishment.

The Fillmore New Orleans-Fats Bar
12:00 p.m.
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment.

The Fillmore New Orleans-Louie Bar
12:30 p.m.
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment.

Altalieh Convenience Store
87 French Market Pl.
2:35 p.m.
Critical violation:
Rodents are present in the establishment. Pest control provided [corrected on site].

Sept. 26
Broussard’s Restaurant
819 Conti St.
9:55 a.m.
Critical violation:
Flies are present in the establishment [repeat].
Rodents are present in the establishment [repeat].

Frank’s Restaurant
933 Decatur St.
2:40 p.m.
Critical violation:
Rodents are present in the establishment [corrected on site].

Sept. 27
Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar and Fish House (oyster bar)
512 Bienville St.
11:35 a.m.
Critical violation:
Roaches are present in the establishment.

Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar and Fish House (restaurant)
11:50 a.m.
Roaches are present in the establishment.

Sept. 28
Stanley Restaurant
547 St. Ann St.
2:35 p.m.
Critical violation:
Roaches are present in the establishment.

NO VIOLATIONS

Sept. 12
Ritz Carlton Hotel Maison Orleans Club Lounge
921 Canal St.
10:10 a.m.

Sept. 13
Willie’s Pizza & Wing Co.
428 Canal St.
9:30 a.m.

Erin Rose Kitchen
811 Conti St.
11:25 a.m.

Killer Poboys #1
219 Dauphine St.
11:55 a.m.

Sept. 18
Sheraton New Orleans
500 Canal St.
1:10 p.m.

Sept. 19
Voo Doo Blues #2 Concession
620 Decatur St.
12:30 p.m.

Walgreens
134 Royal St.
2:30 p.m.

Sept. 22
The New Orleans Vampire Cafe-Bar
801 Royal St.
1:25 p.m.

Peychaud’s
727 Toulouse St.
1:30 p.m.

2 people shot near Bourbon, Toulouse streets UPDATED

All photos by Eric T. Styles

Two people sustained gunshot wounds Saturday morning near the intersection of Bourbon and Toulouse streets, according to New Orleans Police.

Police said the shooting was reported shortly after 6 a.m. following argument between a man and a woman. Witnesses told The Quarter Rat that the two were arguing outside near a Toulouse Street bar when another woman walked up to the man and shot him in the chest at close range.

The gunfire injured a third woman, who was shot in the leg, police said.

Update 10/8/23, 1:29 p.m. EST: NOPD officials said they’ve arrested 30-year-old Shawnnika Smith Saturday evening in connection with the shooting.

Through an investigation, the NOPD identified Smith and issued a warrant for her arrest. Officials said she was located and arrested with the help of the NOPD’s Special Operations Division and was in possession of a 9 millimeter pistol. Police did not immediately say where Smith was arrested.

Smith was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on suspicion of attempted second degree murder, two counts of aggravated second degree battery, aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm, NOPD said, adding that she is presumed innocent until found guilty.

Eric. T. Styles, The Quarter Rat’s art director, said he was inside of his Toulouse Street apartment when he heard a rapid burst of gunfire but initially believed the shots echoed from elsewhere within the French Quarter.

It wasn’t until about an hour later when Styles stepped out of his apartment and saw fire personnel hosing off the street when he learned people were shot half a block away from where he lives.

Emergency personnel transported to the shooting victims to a local hospital, although their conditions weren’t immediately known as of Saturday evening.

The shooting is under investigation, NOPD said.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact NOPD’s Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080. Anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.