By: NANCY DUPLECHAIN
Staff Reporter
The Ville Platte Civic Center was packed with concerned residents, community leaders, attorneys, and clergy on the evening of Wednesday, August 30. The nearly two-hour meeting featured 23 speakers on the topic of crime and gun violence which has been plaguing the city for some time, with gunshots ringing out nightly, businesses shot up, and murders.
Throughout the night, each speaker drove home the biggest point, which is the key to crime prevention starts at home. Everyone stressed proper discipline and setting boundaries for children as the number one solution.
Arthur Sampson, chairman of the Ville Platte Housing Authority, said he has been in contact with HUD and officials in Washington, D.C. to try to get crime prevention programs going in the city. He strongly urged for residents to get to know their neighbors and know what is going on in their community.
Police Chief Al Perry Thomas said there have been six homicides since April of this year. “That’s six homicides too much,” he said, admitting the department does not have a full staff, though they do receive help from the Sheriff’s Office. He said they have made three arrests so far and are still investigating.
Further, he invited anyone in the community with questions and concerns to talk to him, as he would be glad to make himself available.
Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams said, “Law enforcement can only do so much. It starts in the homes of the youth. Parents have to be more accountable for their kids.”
Williams said his grandparents raised him with tough love, and that made him into the man he is today, which he says is what is needed with today’s youth in order to restore values and accountability. He added, “Life is a precious gift from God, and we must not take it for granted.”
Councilwoman Anna Frank pleaded with the community to report illegal activity. She also asked for people to control their emotions.
“As individuals, sometimes we have to walk away from arguing. Sometimes we have to control our thoughts, because sometimes your thoughts will steal your happiness. Put down the guns. Please.”
She further added the parents need to know the whereabouts of their children.
Councilman Shawn Roy said the City Council is doing everything in their power to combat the crime. “We need your help to get this under control. The community needs to do a better job working with city officials. It goes hand-in-hand.” He further said he understands how everything works in the streets, that nobody wants to be labeled a rat or a snitch, but “if it stops someone from getting killed and saves lives, say something.”
Councilman Tracey Jagneaux said the biggest problem in society is life is no longer valued. “We have to express to these young people what life is all about. What is precious about life? We have to show these kids that every life accounts, no matter what that life is.”
Further, Jagneaux said there needs to be more programs throughout the year that include teenagers. He said there are summer programs for young children up to age 12, but asked, “Where are the programs for the 13-17-year-olds? We need to try to get some programs going that’s going to give them some positive influence in their lives. We need to get them some programs that are going to show them the path that needs to be taken in order for them to value their lives.”
Jagneaux asked for state officials to require the court systems to start holding juveniles more accountable for their crimes and have programs set up to redirect them back to the right path. He said, too often kids get off easy in the court system, but then their crimes begin to snowball. Further, he said everything is trickling down to the school system. A long time educator, Jagneaux said children are getting off too easily in school when they make bad decisions. He said he appreciates the mentor groups that are out there, but that we need more mentors to guide the children, especially those who don’t have positive role models in their lives.
On the subject of the courts, Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel said the criminal department of the Clerk’s office has more juvenile cases than adult. Because Evangeline Parish does not have a juvenile facility, the juveniles are remanded back to the parents after sentencing. “One of the best things you can do for your children is to let them stay in jail. Tough love. That’s what it’s going to take.” He also said law enforcement cannot do their job unless they have information and asked the community to do their job to report illegal activity when they see it.
Councilman Bryant Riggs commented on today’s children becoming too wrapped up in rap music and social media. He grew up listening to rap music, and still listens to it, but even as a child, he understood what the artists were talking about did not necessarily pertain to his life. He said today’s kids think they are part of the same world as the rappers, so they emulate them.
“These kids think they’re at war with something. With what? The killings are happening among the kids who grew up together. Their parents went to school together. We’re all the same people.”
Riggs suggested a safe program where parents can bring their children to turn in their guns and drugs to the police and are then counseled to get back on the right track.
Councilwoman Faye Lemoine said if she was a parent of a teenager today, “I bet I would know everything that was in his or her room. I would be checking boxes, closets, drawers, and under the mattress. If I found a gun, I would contact the police, because I don’t want my child to die. I don’t want him to get shot, and I don’t want him to take someone else’s life and lose his life in prison.” She suggested having good after-school programs, but reiterated the parents and grandparents need to keep close eyes on their kids. “If you see them heading down the wrong path, grab them and bring them back.”
Evangeline Chamber of Commerce board member Dr. Gwen Fontenot said the crime is affecting the economy of Ville Platte.
“Our businesses are being robbed. Our businesses are being broken into. Our businesses are being shot up in the middle of the day for no reason.”
She added the Chamber is ready to help in any way it can. “We are praying daily, but if we need to be boots on the ground, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
Others who spoke included School Board Vice President Wanda Skinner who spoke of faith in the midst of fear and the importance of disciplining children. Others stressed the importance of community, positive role models, faith in God, and parents being accountable. There were points made about gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and not enough available activities.
Some spoke about being in prison and learning from their mistakes.
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