Crime in city is discussed

By: NANCY DUPLECHAIN Staff Reporter Olivia Gasper, mother of 24-year-old shooting victim Treyvon Gallow, pleaded with the Ville Platte City Council to find a way to get more help for the police department. Gallow lost his life in late July when he was shot at the Parkview apartment complex. Gasper said the sound of gunshots rings out nightly in her neighborhood, but the Department of Justice has the police department’s hands tied with what they can do as far as detaining suspects. This is due a consent decree placed on the VPPD for being out of compliance when it comes to probable cause arrests, many of which happened with the previous administration. With tears in her voice, Gasper recounted an evening when she went to light candles where her son was killed. When she arrived, she saw a frightened young boy of about eight who took off running because he didn’t know who was pulling up next to him. When he saw who it was, he returned and told her he heard the gunshots the night her son was slain. It was reported there was some 30 shots fired that night, and Gasper said she and her husband found over 20 casings at the scene. “He’s scared. They’re listening to gunshots every night where they’re being raised,” she said, adding the preacher at her son’s funeral said he doesn’t feel safe, either. “Some help is needed.” Mayor Ryan LeDay Williams said he spoke with Chief Al Perry Thomas and Sheriff Charles Guillory to utilize the Sheriff’s Department and State Police to get a handle on crime. “It’s kind of crazy that a little town like this has to deal with this type of thing. People don’t realize the value of life and freedom,” said Williams, offering his condolences. Councilman Shawn Roy said the Housing Authority has a “big role in this,” saying they need to have cameras to help police. He suggested putting pressure on the Housing Authority Board. Councilwoman Anna Frank said she spoke to a Housing Authority board member, saying good cameras are needed ASAP. She said the member told her they should put themselves on the Housing Authority agenda on their next meeting. She reminded citizens, “If you know something, say something.” Councilman Bryant Riggs said he spoke with many people at the Housing Authority over the years, asking for cameras at every entrance. He said having the Parkview complex lit up at night is causing troublemakers to hang around at the lights. He said the Housing Authority has the biggest budget in Ville Platte, so they can afford high-quality cameras. Riggs reiterated the public needs to let police know when they see something. Gasper said she made multiple complaints before her son was killed, but the police could not pick up anyone for questioning without probable cause. “Why do we have a city police department? What good does it do? You have to let them do their job.” Chief Thomas said in order for the police to proceed with detaining a suspect, there has to be probable cause because a suspect has Constitutional protection under the Fourth Amendment. He also said cameras are good at providing intel, but “we need boots on the ground. I’m doing the best I can to recruit people.” Thomas said people don’t want to be police anymore, and a lot of it has to do with the DOJ. Riggs said he has spoken with many former officers who claim they did not leave because of the money but because they did not have enough backup on patrol. He said many of them have the money but it was not worth their lives. “It’s like throwing yourself in the lion’s den,” he said. Sgt. Keith Kellar with the VPPD shed more light on the situation. Kellar, who has been in law enforcement since 1988, ran the regional police academy for 10 years and has trained over 1,000 people. He said in a small community like Ville Platte, people know who are the ones committing the crimes, but they don’t want to turn them in because they are family. “A lot of people are related here, but they have to understand that if they want their community cleaned up, they need to turn in some of these family members.” In regards to probable cause, Kellar said the criteria is information that will lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. “We have to prove it,” he said, adding that cameras have to be high quality enough to identify the person so they can get a warrant. He said he understands the public’s concerns. “I’ve been in this business a long time. I’m very tired of seeing people of all ages taken out of life. We need to try to get the community to help us.” He asked for community leaders to talk to other leaders and convince them to report information they can use. “Nobody in this town is wanting to work harder than this police department,” said Kellar, who has worked for the Lafayette Sheriff’s Office and the Wildlife Enforcement Division, among other major departments. “This is one of the hardest jobs I’ve had because we are understaffed, and people do not want to turn their families in.” In other news, Resident Rufus Searile alleged the VPPD created a position of Maintenance Supervisor to oversee police vehicles and hired an employee without advertising for the position. He said the hiring policy states the council has to approve new positions. These positions have to be advertised for 30 days in the newspaper, but the Maintenance Supervisor position was not. City Attorney Chris Ludeau confirmed with the Civil Service Department that the chief had a right to hand-pick his employee for the position, and advertising was not necessary. At a previous meeting, the city council had approved the employee as a Maintenance Supervisor. Searile also said the DOJ policy states no Ville Platte employee will be allowed to perform the full duties of law enforcement officer until they have completed POST certification. He took issue with the Maintenance Supervisor allegedly being allowed to perform activities of a police officer. “What sense does that make?” He suggested having the employee get POST certified so the department can have more boots on the ground. Chief Thomas said an employee does not have to be POST certified to work at the department. “Not everybody at the department can make arrests, but I need them, and they are a vital part of helping us to be a success.” He said there are many lies going around about what goes on at the police department. When asked to clarify on utilizing the Maintenance Supervisor for other duties, Thomas said, “The true sign of leadership is to work with what you have until you get what you need.” Fire Chief Chris Soileau announced there is a state-wide burn ban because of the dry conditions. Agricultural burning is exempt. He said to be careful with outdoor activities such as cooking and fire pits. In other news, the council approved a resolution to authorize Mayor Williams to request a line of credit for construction of a new $3.7 million fire station. Mayor Williams announced the city will be installing a new system that will control all of the water wells and water towers, allowing the Water Department to minimize the run time of all five wells. This will save electricity and man hours and allow the tank levels to be controlled remotely. Also, automatic flushing valves will be installed in problematic areas throughout the city which will improve and maintain water quality of the system. As for water and gas meters, there have been issues with the smart readers not recording properly. Williams said professionals are looking at what components are needed to get everything working properly to ensure meter reads are done accurately. Williams also announced the city will be receiving a $200,000 reimbursement check from the Road Project. These funds will be put into the Street & Drainage account to most likely go toward upcoming street projects. He also thanked Toby Landreneau for recommending the Native Plant and Heritage Garden park to Sister Marie Therese of St. Martinville who spearheaded the cleanup/beautification of the grounds. He also thanked everyone who participated. In closing, Williams expressed his sincere condolences to all families who were affected by the recent tragedy of a Ville Platte resident and a deputy marshal. “Our deepest condolences to the loved ones and colleagues of Deputy Marshal Barry Giglio, who was killed in the line of duty,” he said, adding he received an official statement from Governor John Bel Edwards, honoring Giglio. The statement will be given to the Giglio family.