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Anyone who thinks this is outrageous is encouraged to email jhumphries@metropolitancrimecommission.org so he has enough public outcry to investigate this matter. Mr. Humphries want to know how you feel about this. Your email will help the victim.<br> <br>This email is courtesy of the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, dedicated to protecting, maintaining and supporting the culture, architecture and quality of life of the Faubourg Marigny. <br> <br>Hit and Run Victim Needs Your Help<br> <br>At our meeting last night, a resident, Rhonda, informed the group about a serious issue with the 5th District Police Department and the laws pertaining to hit and run accidents. She is asking for your support to have the Metropolitan Crime Commission investigate this gross error on the part of the police department. The details of the incident are below.<br> <br>_____<br>Item No. H-05803 / Signal No. 100-I<br>Date of Occurrence: 8/5/2008<br> <br>Officers: L. Weathersby, Jr.<br>District: 5th<br> <br>12:17PM APPROX. David Gordin was hit and badly injured by a black male driving a Monte Carlo, license Texas 355 NVR. The driver stopped the car, got out and screamed that he didn't hit anyone.<br> <br>Two witnessess, dumpster delivery driver and Rhonda Findley (504-237-1284). Findley told the driver as she was calling 911 for assistance to get his license and insurance and don't even think about leaving. At that point he got in his car and drove away. Findley gave the plate number and direction the vehicle headed to 911. Gordin rushed to Tulane hospital undergoes emergency surgery to stabilize his leg and prepare for extensive, reconstructive surgery.<br> <br>Mr. Gordin sustained a Pilon fracture and will not be able to begin rehab to walk again for at least another 3 months. He owns three retail businesses here in New Orleans and is a resident of the Marigny neighborhood. He is scheduled for his next surgery Friday, August 22, 2008.<br> <br>Subsequently, Findley rallied neighbors and friends to be on the lookout for the car. She visited the 5th district the next day and asked if they were talking about the plate number in the shift meetings. She was told by the desk officer that they do not do that.<br> <br>Later in the week, Findley was walking her dog at 10:30PM and the hit and run car drove past her, speeding. She went inside, grabbed keys and searched for the car to no avail. She called the 5th to report the car in the area as she returned home and was wrapping up with Officer Jackson the car sped past her again. She was instructed by the officer on the phone to follow the car and they would be right behind her. She followed the car 5 blocks to 3407 Chartres and watched the driver (the same driver that hit David) use a key to enter the residence. She waited for 15 minutes, no officer and the driver left again. She followed him to the 1000 block of Montegut Street all the while relaying this information to the 5th district.<br> <br>She pulled on to St. Claude and waited for the officers. They passed a minute later and told her they couldn't do anything because Findley couldn't see which house he entered.<br> <br>Next day. Findley finds officer Sunseri (the only officer in the NOPD Hit and Run Division). Nice guy. She turns over all the info to him including information obtained from some very helpful people who have to remain anonymous. That information included the name of the registered owner in Texas as well as the address for that owner. <br> <br>Also, information showing where the car was purchased. Officer Sunseri encouraged Findley to go back to the 5th after meeting with him.<br> <br>She returns to the 5th district to speak with the Captain and ends up speaking to Lt. Brenckle. He rallies some officers and puts Findley in the back of his patrol car and they proceed to Chartres Street where they find the Tx car, plate 355 NVR was parked illegally on the levee.<br> <br>The Lt. and his officers question the residents of 3407 Chartres. They cannot produce proof of insurance for the Texas car but tell the NOPD that the car belongs to a relative and that lots of people drive that car. The officers tells Findley if she identifies the driver he'll only get a ticket and they can't tow the car because they don't enforce Texas laws (i.e. Louisiana plates, no insurance = TOW. Texas plate, no insurance = no tow.)<br> <br>Also, she is told that NOPD does not tow a car involved in a hit and run with bodily injury. Concerned for her safety, Ms. Findley declines to id the driver at that time.<br> <br>Today, a Monte Carlo with Tx plate 355 NVR can be seen speeding around the Bywater neighborhood driven by the same guy who injured David. He likes to park up on the sidewalk on Chartres. One can clearly see the plate. He parties on the 1000 block of Montegut and makes regular passes by Ms. Findley.<br> <br>Findley knows of at least three instances where the car has been sited and citizens have called 911 and received the response, "we don't handle things like that."<br> <br>So . . .basically, citizens react. Citizens find car. Police do nothing (Driver = scot free.) He really knows that nothing is going to happen to him. And, the NOPD cannot touch him.<br> <br>For the victim no justice and no law to protect the victim with 1000's if not into the 100,000's of dollars of insurance bills. Loss of income. Can't walk. May never be able to participate in regular activities including exercise. Quality of life in the destroyed at this point.<br> <br>WHERE ARE THE POLICE? WHO ARE THE POLICE PROTECTING? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?<br> <br>Again, anyone who thinks this is outrageous is encouraged to email: jhumphries@metropolitancrimecommission.org. Mr. Humphries want to know how you feel about this.<br><br /><hr />Talk to your Yahoo! Friends via Windows Live Messenger. <a href='http://www.windowslive.com/explore/messenger?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_messenger_yahoo_082008' target='_new'>Find Out How</a></body>
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