During its meeting Monday evening, the Chataigner Village Coucil heard from Jay Johnson, who is the owner of Jay’s Store-it located on the east side of town.
Johnson voiced his frustration on no officer from the village responding to a series of break-ins that have been occurring at his business. “The first break in was over Mardi Gras weekend, and I could not get assistance from anyone in the village,” he stated. “As one of the few tax paying business owners in Chataignier, I find this unacceptable.”
Officer for the village Kalinsky Ardoin, who is also an Evangeline Parish sheriff’s deputy, responded that be had been patrolling the area since the incidents have taken place and has been investigating.. He stated, “We have a lead, but it’s just to catch him in the act.” He added, “We have to have some type of proof on him, but it’s a gang that’s been hitting up all the storage units in the area. The presence is there, and I am investigating while working with the sheriff’s office.”
Johnson, not wanting Chataignier to become an “easy target,” told the council that he would like to see an increased police presence in the village. The problem is that the village currently owns one police unit. Ardoin suggested to Mayor Jackie Thomas that the council look into getting a unit donated from Bossier City.
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TONY MARKS