Police changing patrols in response to shootings

Eunice Police are changing their patrol organization from four 12-hour shifts to six shifts with the additional shifts focused on high-crime times, Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot said.
Fontenot, speaking to the Tuesday meeting of the Eunice Board of Aldermen, said there would be fewer officers working during slower periods.
After a community meeting on June 7, police are also considering bicycle and foot patrols, he said.
The St. Landry Parish sheriff is augmenting patrols in Eunice, he said.
“Eunice is still a quiet, safe city,” Fontenot said. “We’ve had some shootings in the past week starting last Tuesday. This stuff is pretty much anticipated happening. We could see it coming because of the stuff that going on in town and some of the activity of the children in town.”
Police will concentrate on enforcing the curfew law, which bans those under 17 years old from being on the streets from 10 p..m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Offenders will be issued a summons for the first violation and be turned over to their parents. The parents also will be charged on a second offense.