Photographs by Bobby Ardoin.
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-article series from the St.Landry Federation of Democratic Women candidate forum held last week, summarizing the remarks of Opelousas municipal office candidates who spoke at the event. In this story we look at what the police chief candidates said during the lively meeting which featured those who packed into the Civic Center.
Graig LeBlanc
LeBlanc, who is attempting to become city police chief for the second time in as many elections, said. Opelousas is no longer a safe place to live.
Opelousas, LeBlanc said, is a city where people are terrorized by individuals that roam the streets, firing semi-automatic and illegally-modified automatic weapons randomly into homes and vehicles.
LeBlanc said he will institute programs where officers will undergo continuous training programs.
A change in departmental leadership is necessary, said LeBlanc.
“We need help. I’m here to offer hope. What’s been going on in our city is a reality. We see our children bleeding and lying in the streets,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said the police chief needs to be someone that he said will work aggressively to reduce violent crime.
“To those who are committing these crimes and providing all the violence, I say to you right now that this is not a game. If you think you are going to stay in Opelousas and you want to commit violent crimes, then you need to change your address,” LeBlanc added.
Martin McLendon
McLendon was elected as police chief four years ago after defeating LeBlanc for the position.
During the Civic Center event, McLenon didn’t deny that “(Opelousas) has issues.”
McLendon said he hasn’t been immune to the gunshots and gunfire incidents that have often been reported to the department.
“I hear them from my house and I go out on all the investigations where gunfire has occurred and evidence at the scenes has been collected,” McLendon said.
McLendon said the officers in his department have not deterred from handling the gun violence issue.
“We have dedicated officers in our department and they are committed to doing everything possible,” said McLendon.
McLendon said voters should consider one question when deciding which police candidate to select.
“I’m asking you, who can you trust your children with?” McLendon said.
McLendon said that during the event OPD had 12 officers who were out on patrol.
“We are in the streets with our officers and we still have people with guns…My job is to make you feel safe,” McLendon said.
