Newell set aside part of Friday’s program to talk to WWL listeners about what they are seeing in their neighborhoods as it relates to crime. At the present time, violent crime in New Orleans is up significantly in nearly every category and many callers shared ideas about why and what should be done about it, but one caller named George in particular told a story that drew a strong reaction from the host.
“I'm still shaking over here, this happened a week ago today,” George began. “It happened in a cemetery in New Orleans… I just can't believe it. It was a private funeral for a cousin of mine, and we told her we'd take care of everything. Her cremated remains were sitting in front of the tomb. A priest comes, blesses everything, he leaves, then it's me, my wife, my brother-in-law and a grave caretaker. Guess what pops up on both sides of each tomb - they told us, leave your wallets and jewelry. I'm not kidding you. If we are at a point now where we can't even bury our dead, this is past out of control.”
“My wife wakes up every night now, shaking,” George continued. “I'm 70 years old. We used to leave our screen doors open at night, with kids sleeping in front of a screen door, getting a breeze off the river. I don't know what else to say, you know? I just wish that people would wake up. Just wake up! If it's going to get to the point where even the cemetery people say, we're going to have to have security, and you're going to have to sign a paper to come and visit the deceased... no, man, no.”
“That's one of the most horrific things I've ever heard,” Newell said. “I mean, you can't go to church. You can't stop at a gas station to get gas. And now this morning, June 4th, 2021, I'm hearing that at a funeral while you're burying your loved one, you are robbed!”
“Yes sir, and then we called the police and they told me to go to the nearest police station because they have a shortage.”
“How long did it take you to file your police report?” Newell asked.
“We didn't! If they couldn't come out to us, it's just not worth it anymore. It's not worth it. They're not going to do anything. If they wouldn't come out to the cemetery, what else can a person do? And what can you do? What can be done? Send somebody to do something!”
“I have a hollow feeling in my chest,” Newell said. “I just can't even imagine this. And I've seen pretty much everything there is to see after 40 years in law enforcement, but this is one that I've not heard of before. Not ever. I don't understand the mentality of an individual who would do that as you stand at the side of your loved one's burial space. I wish you and your wife the best. And I hope that she soon is able to deal with the horror of this. And I hope those two perpetrators rot in fricking hell. best of luck to you, my friend.”
Hear the entire conversation in the audio player below.
