Overtime schedule, State Troopers to help Abbeville Police

More law enforcement patrol will soon be on the streets of Abbeville.
Abbeville officials, law enforcement and others met last Friday to discuss recent shootings in the city and how to effectively respond.
In the wake of that meeting, Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy announced this week that he has requested patrol assistance from the Louisiana State Police and is implementing an overtime schedule for his department.
“This will have a big impact,” Hardy said.
The Abbeville City Council voted during a special meeting to waive the 24-hour cap on overtime for the police department. Hardy said this will allow more flexibility on shifts.
“We are already working on getting that rolling,” Hardy said.
Complete details of the State Police Troop I’s involvement are not yet known.
“I can’t speak for them as to exactly what they are going to be able to provide,” Hardy said. “They did let me know Monday that they are coming.
“We’re working hard here and we know what we’re up against. We’re just calling in a little reserve.”
With that help and no restraints on overtime, Hardy said there could be up to 15 vehicles patrolling during a given shift.
“That will be day and night,” Hardy said. “We will do that as long as we can make it happen.”
The beefed-up patrol effort comes in response to more than 20 reported shootings in July. That number was up from 15 in July of last year. Hardy said he believes this extra presence from Abbeville Police and state troopers will help ease some of the public concerns.
Vermilion Parish Police Juror Ronald Darby, who represents a portion of Abbeville, said during last Friday’s special meeting that cracking down on all violations can help curb some of the things that are happening.
“We have some high crime in my district,” Darby said. “We have to be proactive. We have ordinances for saggy pants, open containers and other things.”
Hardy said Tuesday morning that if an ordinance is on the books, it will be enforced.
“They are enforcing any law,” Hardy said. “This is not going to be state police working traffic. This is criminal patrol.”
“This will be a city-wide effort.”
State police helped Abbeville Police during a two-week stretch last year. Hardy said the results proved worth while.
“There were lots of citations and arrests,” Hardy said. “It will be similar if not harder this time around.”