Chief Answers Enforcement Questions
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Opelousas Police Chief Graig LeBlanc faced a large crowd of city residents Tuesday night, as he answered their questions and explained annual departmental budget issues, officers’ protocols and the apparent municipal crime reduction that he says has occurred since he took office in 2023.
The two-hour City Hall presentation by LeBlanc featured statistics from a graphic slide presentation that indicate decreases in violent activity such as weapon discharge, seizures, burglaries, assaults and arrests.
LeBlanc also defended the installation of speed cameras as a way of freeing up patrol officers, and instituting vehicle speed control which he said has caused a decline in traffic accidents.
There are plans, said LeBlanc, to host similar public presentations every six months.
Some residents attempted to discuss stray dog issues that exist within the city, but LeBlanc noted that is a problem other municipal departments are mandated to handle.
Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor, who attended the event, said the city administration plans to hold a similar public form Oct. 28 to introduce a system improvement plan.
The Crime Matter
Since he took office, LeBlanc said his major goal has been managing the violent crime image that has overwhelmed Opelousas.
“We didn’t want a city living in fear. We’re not where we want to be, but we’re headed in the right direction,” said LeBlanc.
There have been 14 homicides in Opelousas since 2022, according to the data presented during the meeting.
That figure has remained basically static during the same period over the past two years, as four shooting deaths have occurred in 2023 and during the first seven months of 2024.
Burglaries have curtailed from 173 in 2023 to 87 so far in 2024, the statistics show.
However shootings, arrests in connection with shootings and robberies are down only slightly over the 2022-24 time period.
Funding The Officers
LeBlanc estimated that it costs about $2,300 to equip each of his 43 officers with updated protective vests, uniforms and other essential equipment.
The police department, LeBlanc said, also requires the largest amount of money taken from the municipal budget.
LeBlanc credited Tracee Antee with writing federal grants that would help provide funding for officers’ salaries.
Speed Cameras
Complaints about fast moving traffic persisted during the early months of his administration, LeBlanc pointed out.
“People were calling and asking for a police car to be posted at (their) corner to watch for the speeders,” LeBlanc reminded his audience.
“What we really needed was to have our officers patrolling in the violent areas. The cameras are there not to help with speeding. If you don’t speed, then we won’t write you a ticket,” said LeBlanc.
LeBlanc said the speed cameras should not be considered as speed traps.
“We knew we would get some flack. It’s working. There are fewer accidents than there were last year,” added LeBlanc.
Officers Pay
Earlier this year the Opelousas Board of Alderman voted to increase early officers’ base pay by $2.50, while those on night shifts were given an additional $1 per hour.
Most officers are now earning at least $15 hourly, LeBlanc said, but the officers are still underfunded, said LeBlanc.
“We are far behind in pay for officers in the Acadiana area. We are mandated for 50 officers, but at 15 dollars, not too many want to take this responsibility. We are still going to have our high standards for hiring. We will not accept anybody and sacrifice our standards,” LeBlanc said.