Chief Lartigue gives update to VP Rotary Club

By: HEATHER
BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

April 5, Meeting
Rotarian Ronnie Landreneau welcomed Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue to address the April 5, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Lartigue began by noting that crime throughout Ville Platte has decreased due to increased police presence on the streets, including foot patrol unit in high crime areas. This has been made possible by Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and the city council’s allowance of more overtime pay. He added that the foot patrol has so far been very successful. He stated that criminals recognize the sound of police units and run off and hide. A foot patrol unit allows officers to park several blocks away so as to catch the criminal off guard.
Lartigue stated he tries to hire new officers on a regular basis but has a hard time when it comes to the applicants passing the required psychological exam. He said that generally only one out of six candidates pass the exam, which is required for insurance purposes.
Another plus for the department, Lartigue noted, was the implementation of updated software. This new software allows reports to be sent on to the federal government electronically and saves the department time and manpower as they no longer have to mail out the reports. The new software also allows the department when applying for law enforcement grants.
Lartigue stated that due to the urgency in getting reports notarized, most of dispatchers and supervisors are now notary publics, which can help expedite the process.
The DARE program is very important to Lartigue and his department. He told Rotarians, “DARE is an effective program and works well.” Although the DARE budget has been cut, Lartigue emphasized that “the drug education program will continue to be taught in our local schools because we do not want to lose this effective program.”
Lartigue noted that the members of the police department are very community-oriented and are involved in many community projects, including Cops for A Cure, Relay for Life and the Evangeline Parish Community Coalition’s annual school supply drive and Christmas food baskets for the less fortunate children of the community.
The chief also commended his staff and officers, saying, “This is a good group of people that I work with.” He added that some of his officers take their personal time off duty to escort ball teams and at church events. He stated that currently, there are 23 officers in the department.
In closing, Lartigue share shared several statistics from the 2015, noting the department received 7057 calls, issued 457 citations, handled 706 arrests (including 167 felony arrests) and worked 541 traffic accidents. He also stated that so far 2016 is off to a good start.
Also during the meeting, Rotary President Mitch Fontenot announced there will be a clean up at the native Plant Heritage Garden on Saturday, April 23, and an evening fellowship get together on Tuesday, April 26. He also reminded members that the installation banquet will be held on Tuesday, June 14.