New Orleans to use mock 'customers' to explore whether racism prevalent in city businesses

Hoping to quell accusations of racism following the New Year's Eve death of a black tourist, the city will employ mock "customers" to visit local businesses and report on how they are treated. Levon Jones, 25, a college student from Georgia, died after a scuffle outside a Bourbon Street bar. Three bouncers were later charged with negligent homicide. The coroner said Jones suffocated as one held him in a headlock for 12 minutes and another pushed down on his back, preventing him from breathing. A third held Jones' legs. Jones' family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the bar claiming race was a factor in the fight. Jones was black and the bouncers are white. An attorney for the Razoo Bar and Patio, where the death occurred, has said the bouncers acted responsibly after being assaulted. The use of mock customers -- who would be of varying racial backgrounds and ages -- was part of a plan outlined Wednesday by Mayor Ray Nagin and members of the city's Human Relations Commission. "Today we are taking steps to determine if patterns of discrimination exist in our shops, restaurants and nightclubs," Nagin said. The commission also plans to hold a public hearing Feb. 24, during which people can testify about their experiences with French Quarter businesses, the city said in a news release. [more]