There has been extensive publicity about the plight of Le Petit Théatre du Vieux Carré, which was at death's door and about to be thrown into foreclosure. As you are very aware, Patio Planters du Vieux Carré has had a very long and close relationship with the theatre, even to the point that we have enjoyed rent-free meetings at the building for many years.

Your board, cognizant of the importance of this major cultural, architectural and historic building and organization, decided to step up to the plate and give a donation in the amount of $5,000.00. We are all aware of the very hard work that all the Patio Planters volunteers do in helping to assure that we raise the necessary funds to continue to operate our various service, charitable and fun opportunities that we offer our members and the communities of the French Quarter, city of New Orleans and metropolitan area at large. You have offered your board an overwhelming number of messages of support of this beloved project and we thank you. We thank you for your unselfish and steadfast support.  

On January 30, 2009 Superintendent Riley requested a meeting with the representatives from the M.O.M. Coalition. Superintendent Riley and some of his top officers, including Deputy Chief of Operations Kirk Bouyelas and Major Eddie Hosli of the 8th District, wanted to discuss what is being done by the NOPD to address the concerns presented at the Press Conference the preceding day. This meeting was held at the FQC Office on N. Rampart Street, and was a first step in what will become regularly scheduled monthly meetings allowing open dialogue between our representatives and the 8th District Command and Superintendent Riley.

The Superintendent assured us that they know the value of the French Quarter and Marigny Triangle to the City, and they expressed their regret that even one death has occurred “on their watch”. At the end of 2008 and in the early days of January 2009, the NOPD was addressing measures that they could take to improve safety in the FQ/Marigny, as well as other parts of the City. The untimely death of Wendy Byrne accelerated their time frame for implementation.
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