Young promotes tourism, fighting crime during visit to VP Chamber

By: RAYMOND PARTSCH III
Managing Editor

John Young talked on Friday about promoting Louisiana’s tourism industry, and reducing crime in the state which would   help tourism continue to grow.
“If we don’t get crime under control in our communities then we’re not going to be able to do anything else,” Young said. “Unless you have public safety you can’t do economic development, you can’t promote education, you’re not going to attract investment in your community and you’re not going to attract visitors.”
The current Jefferson Parish President, and Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, addressed those issues and more during a campaign stop at the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce. Among those notable figures that stopped by for the event were State Representative H. Bernard LeBas (D-Ville Platte), Opelousas Mayor Reggie Tatum and Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy DeShotel.
Young started things off with a little humor as he began to talk to people in attendance, while they were still wrapping up eating the finger sandwiches and chips and dip that was provided by the chamber.
“I am the oldest of six kids and the father of five sons so I am used to people not paying attention to me while eating,” Young said.
The former maritime lawyer and Loyola graduate stressed the importance of tourism for Louisiana.
“Tourism matters because it employees statewide directly and indirectly 223,000 people in the state of Louisiana,” Young said. “In 2014 alone, tourism generated $836 million to the state treasury. It is a growth industry and it is a clean industry.”
Young added, “I want to make sure everybody gets their fair share of the tourism dollar. Every part of the state, every community of the state has something unique to offer.”
Young also stressed the importance of reducing crime throughout the state, in particular New Orleans and the historic French Quarter. Young served as Jefferson Parish’s Assistant District Attorney from 1997-2004.
“New Orleans is not the end all be all to tourism in the state of Louisiana,” Young said. “The world doesn’t revolve around New Orleans but we do have to admit this. New Orleans is a magnet that draws a lot people to the state of Louisiana. My point is this, if we don’t get crime under control in New Orleans, in particular in the French Quarter, we are going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.”
When asked exactly how he would make that happen,  he floated the idea of increasing the police force in New Orleans from 1,000 to 1,600 and possibly even creating another state troopers office for the district.
Either way, Young stated that the state’s tourism destinations, like the French Quarter, need to have a stronger police presence.
He cited a recent conversation he had with a couple from Ohio about their trip to New Orleans. Young said that the travelers loved the trip but had seen and heard other people have crimes committed against them. In Young’s words the couple ‘was surprised by the lack of police on the streets.’
“We need to make sure that our state and local law enforcement officials have the appropriate resources,” Young said. “We need to make sure we have more of a police presence in the French Quarter. What you need is police presence on the street.”
Even though Young is from the New Orleans area, and talked about the importance of the city during his visit, he promised if elected that the rest of the state, including Central and Northern Louisiana would not be ignored.
“I am going to make sure that they are heard,” Young said. “I have traveled all across the state. There is this perception and sometimes it is reality that they are forgotten. We need to make sure that they are not.”