VP Library needs assistance

By: CARISSA HEBERT

Managing Editor

The Ville Platte Library’s electric meter was stolen Tuesday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m., according to Director Mary Foster Galasso. She is asking anyone who may have seen something out of the ordinary to please call her (363-1369) or the Ville Platte Police Department (363-1313).

Galasso said right before this occurred, a man walked into the library to ask for a library card. His name didn’t match the birthdates of names on file, so his identification was requested. She said the man became irate, and the library staff became concerned for their safety. He beat on the keyboard of a computer before running out of the library.

Galasso said the staff locked the door behind the man, and that is when the lights in the library went out. She said the staff claimed they saw the man running down the street with something under his arm. On Wednesday, she searched the area to see if the electric meter had been dropped, but she did not locate it.

Cleco had to put a new meter on the library, and on Wednesday, computer repair personnel were called to the library. Galasso said this caused electrical problems, and she is very upset taxpayers’ dollars are going to be used to repair electrical equipment which was damaged by an act like this.

“We don’t know the full extent of the cost of this yet,” she said.

She thanked Hope “Pinkie” Demoruelle for answering the call. “She responded promptly.” Galasso also thanked Johnny Thomas, who stayed with Emily Fontenot and Tina Deville, the staff, until everyone was safely out of the building.

Galasso asked the public to please report any suspicious activity they may have seen Tuesday evening to the police department.