Omar’s eyes widened. “When they come out they act like I’m wasting their time.”
My lips pursed. I didn’t like the sound of that. “I’ll talk to them about your concerns. Is there anything else you see as an issue?”
“Homeless hanging out in the store and on the corner. They scare away the paying customers.”
I could look into the local shelters. Make sure there is one and that the hours are reasonable. I didn’t know what I could do about it if they weren’t, but I’d talk to Dean. “I’ll look into those issues. Is there anything else?”
“No.” He leaned back on the counter, crossing his legs in front of him.
I smiled. “Well, if you think of anything else, please let me know.” I pulled out my new business cards and handed him one.
“Thanks. I don’t think anyone’s ever come in here and asked what I want or need.” Skepticism was heavy in his voice.
“That’s about to change, Omar. Isaac came to us and we’d like to solve these issues you’re having. We’d like to see the neighborhood blossom, crime drop, and more businesses open up.”
“That’s what we all want,” Gabe said.
I shook Omar’s hand again, told him it was nice to meet him, and waited for Gabe to join me on the sidewalk.
“That was interesting.” Gabe’s eyes were on the sidewalk in front of him.
“How so?” I asked cocking my head to the side to consider him.
“I didn’t think there was anything you could or would do. Isaac knows your boss and he’s been adamant his office deals with stuff like this, but I had my doubts.”
“The D.O.J. enacted Project Safe Neighborhood, which includes all levels of law enforcement working with a community to reduce crime. It works when business owners and citizens feel comfortable approaching police when there’s a problem. It’s like the situation with Omar—if police officers are indifferent to reports of crime, people stop making reports, which increases crime in the area.”
Gabe looked at me with respect in his eyes.
“It’s the reason I wanted this job. The particular department I work in is not my dream job but this aspect of it intrigued me. I love the idea of all branches of law enforcement working in a community to make a difference. So much of what I do is after the fact. I put people away after they commit a crime, not before. This is a way to deter crime.”
“I can tell you’re passionate about it.”
“I am.” I wondered if he thought back to the day we met and knew he’d been wrong about me.
“You’re—” He paused as if searching for the right words.
“Different than you thought?” Maybe he had a negative view of police and law enforcement, which was exactly what Project Safe Neighborhood sought to change.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “There’s a new spice shop the next street over.”
“Let’s go.” I wanted to make as much progress as I could before Gabe had to get back to work. The spice shop owner was busy and didn’t have any issues to report yet, so I left him my card.
Instead of turning left out of the spice shop to return to Isaac’s, Gabe turned right.
At my questioning look, Gabe said, “This neighborhood is considered Lakeview. We were hit hard by Katrina, but a lot of the area has been rebuilt. I wanted to show you Harrison Avenue which is probably the best-known street in this area of town.”
“I’m somewhat familiar with it because the streetcar goes through that neighborhood but I’d love to see more of it.” Was Gabe intentionally extending our time together? Was this like our visit to the French Quarter?
“You don’t need to get back to work?”
“My boss wants me to get to know the area. I don’t have any trials scheduled yet, so my workload isn’t unmanageable.” I remembered Dean mentioning Isaac’s proximity to Harrison Avenue and how it was important to the neighborhood. He hoped the tourist area would continue to extend beyond Harrison Avenue, allowing for more businesses to open and be successful.
We walked about two blocks before the crowds became heavier until we reached Harrison Avenue, passing Swoon Boutique, Carpe Diem Boutique Salon, Another Broken Egg Café, the Creole Creamery, and the Velvet Cactus. “Business names are unique.” They were quirky, which matched the style of the buildings—Another Broken Egg Café was housed in a large Victorian-style home, while Swoon Boutique was in a corner building, all brick, with a fancy hanging wooden sign.
“It’s a trendy area to shop and everything reflects that. Isaac thinks we’re close enough to this area to capitalize. He wants to draw tourists away from here to our street.”
“This is a cute trendy street. Your street isn’t—”
“Can you think of any way to draw people off this main street?”
“I don’t have any experience in this, but the shops are cute and inviting. It makes me want to go in and explore.” The mood was definitely casual and carefree with people out enjoying the weather and walking along the waterfront.
Gabe carefully considered my words.
“Maybe you could freshen up Isaac’slook? There’s also that open lot on the corner opposite Omar’s. Maybe you could hold festivals or community events? Something we could advertise to draw people in, and with some improvements to the storefronts they’d want to come back? You already have new businesses moving in,” I said.
“That’s a great idea.”
I smiled, feeling excitement radiating from Gabe’s body.
“Do you want to keep walking, or do you have time for lunch?”
“Lunch sounds good.” The one thing I adored about New Orleans so far was the food. It reminded me a little of home with its seafood offerings, even if it was a lot spicier than I was used to.
We’d stopped in front of the Velvet Cactus, a Mexican Restaurant with a large outdoor seating area lined with small trees decorated in tiny white lights. I was about to suggest it but Gabe grabbed my hand and led me farther
