Harlan Kirgan
Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot called on residents to help police fight crime in their neighborhoods at a meeting held only blocks away from a pair of shootings that occurred Tuesday that wounded three people.
“We were lucky last night. Nobody died yet. We still have two in critical condition in the hospitals,” he said to about 70 people at the Southeast Neighborhood Center, 101 City Ave.
“The problem we have when we get in these neighborhoods is we get complaints about cars passing by shooting at houses,” Fontenot said. “When we get there nobody knows anything. The only way the police department can do anything about it is if we have your cooperation. We need for you to let us know what you see.”
Fontenot said, “We have to be able to prove it to make the arrest.”
The neighborhood meeting had been announced about two weeks earlier and Fontenot said it was intended to help prevent shootings such as occurred Tuesday.
Jamie Ned, 17, also known as Jamie Freeman, of North Cane Street, Eunice, is accused of wounding a 7-year-old boy in a shooting at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday near Golden Seafood on East Maple Avenue.
Two hours later, Ned is believed to have shot the uncles of the wounded boy.
Ned has been charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Alderwoman Germaine Simpson, who represents the area where the shooting occurred, also attended the meeting.
“It is not like it was,” she said. “A long time ago the community raised kids together. If neighbors saw someone doing something wrong they called the parents. Now, people don’t say anything because they don’t want to have to get into an altercation with someone over their children.”
Simpson said, “I’m hoping that the word sprads that we want to take back our community. Gun violence is unacceptable.”
Many youngsters seem angry, she said. “Why are so many angry that they would actually be willing to retaliate against someone or take someone’s life over what?” she said.
“If we destroy our own community then how do we expect others outside our community to have any type of feelings for us?” she said.
Fontenot acknowledged fear of retaliation plays a role in people being unwilling to be witnesses.
“... are you living in fear now?” he asked.
“What more is it (fear) going to be if you communicate with us?” he asked.
“The only way we can stop it is, is we all work together. That is your neighborhood out there. Our police officers are going out there to protect you. We need your help,” he said.
Fontenot said there is strength in numbers. “If 50 people in the neighborhood are telling, they can’t retaliate against that many people,” he said.
Among those commenting in the meeting, that lasted from 6:30 to about 9 p.m., was Marie DeYoung who asked about forming Neighborhood Watch groups.
Martin Bellow asked where other politicians were with only Fontenot and Simpson at the front of the room. School Board member Arthur Hayes Jr. was in the back of room.
Rev. Caleb Semien, pastor of Word Ministeries on U.S. 190, said crime rates have more to do with people’s mindsets than police.
“It is not anything that just law enforcement can do ... it is something that is going to take the entire community,” he said.
‘A gun is neutral. Facebook is neutral. It is what the mindset of the person who uses it is, that’s what has to change,” he said.
Chiquita Thomas echoed Simpson’s observation about angry youths and said they do not have anything to be angry about.
“I’m not scared to tell these children they are doing wrong,” she said.
Fontenot said, “You all are not the problem but you all can help us be the solution to save your children. That’s what I want. I need your help to save your children from the children of those other people who are not here tonight.”