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Up with DOJ

After only 14 days in office, the administration of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is copying the playbook of President Barack Obama.

Hit ‘em with town meetings.

Landrieu, along with his new police chief, the new police monitor and officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, recently met inside one of the big meeting/party rooms – called a super lounge during the Essence Music Festival – for a town hall meeting to discuss the New Orleans Police Department.

Joining Landrieu at the town hall meeting, were Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas; Tom Perez, assistant attorney general in the civil rights division of the Department of Justice; Roy Austin Jr., deputy assistant attorney general of the civil rights division in the Department of Justice; and Susan Hutson, independent police monitor.

Also in attendance – although they did not speak as a group – were NOPD district commanders and top brass.

The audience, which at times seemed as much pre-selected as randomly present, included members of the faith-based community, neighborhood associations, community leaders and other “interested citizens,” according to the program participants’ agenda.

As each speaker took their turn, members of the audience bided their time before speaking their mind. The tension never really built up to a feverish level – the moderator kept everyone on message without depriving them of their time with the microphone – but there were some challenges posed to the panelists.

“How far are you guys going back?” asked one citizen who recalled an early 1980s incident in which police officers mishandled members of his family.

“There’s a righteous anger out there,” said Hutson, who was using a small cane, “Also with that, I see hope.”

Other speakers got off their chests issues the mayor of New Orleans doesn’t control. One speaker, who identified himself as Native American, said former vice president Dick Cheney should be indicted for what’s happening in the Gulf of Mexico and the BP oil spill.

Cheney’s former company, Halliburton, is one of the three entities potentially responsible for the environmental disaster.

But most of the speakers among the approximately 75 persons in attendance – many were administration staffers and officials - stayed on message.

“We need to be able to say this here, regardless,” said one man who expressed concern about how the New Orleans City Council addresses the matter. He urged police – even as NOPD brass turned around to see who was speaking – to “have manners.”

“When the police knock at your door, it scares you,” he said.

Serpas, who spoke toward the end, said it all has to do with what happens on the front end, not after police have been called.

“Training builds confidence, experience builds confidence,” he said.

“We’re going to build it from the bottom up.”

One 46-year-old man drew the night’s only applause when he told Landrieu and Serpas not to sit in their seats “like they’re on “a big white horse and you’re going to save the day.”

“They see it, Mitch. They see it Chief Serpas.”

As he stepped out of his chair and approached the audience, Landrieu did a little preaching himself.

“First of all, this is the first time I’ve been the mayor. I feel everybody’s pain.

He then reminded the audience that as Lt. Governor, he had worked closely with the Louisiana State Police.

“We know from experience you can be tough but respectful,” he said.

Landrieu ended the evening’s remarks – he remained afterward for about a half hour talking to citizens who were present – with this presidential-like assertion.

“I am not going to be commander-in-chief of a police department that engages in racial profiling.”

No one called him Mr. President. Several called him either Mitch or Mr. Mayor, But all said they would call him, not his six deputy mayors, when they want answers.