Abbeville Police Chief Hardy says no call is too minor

“To Protect and to Serve” is the motto synonymous with police work.
Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy wants those living and working in the city to know that his department is indeed here for them in the same way.
“If you want the police to go out and walk you to your car, call,” Hardy said. “We go stand by and do that all the time.
“People think they are bothering us with things like that. You are not bothering us. That is our job.”
Hardy said those looking for police assistance in that regard can contact the department at (337) 893-2511.
“Call us and we will be there,” Hardy said. “If there is something big going on or there is an emergency, we may not have an officer there to meet you right away. If that happens, call again and we’ll let you know about how long until an officer will be there.
“We are going to be there to help you.”
Robberies have occurred in situations with someone making a night deposit after the bank is closed. Hardy stressed that one of the most important things local businesses can do is have an officer present while an employee is making a night deposit at a bank.
“We’ll escort you to the bank, any time of the day,” Hardy said. “I encourage businesses to do that. If I owned a business, I would make it a requirement that my employees have an officer with them when they are dropping off at the night drop box. If someone is planning a robbery there, and they see our police lights, they are going to move on.
“A lot of man hours go into working one robbery. If we follow you to the bank, no robbery is going to happen in the first place.”
While officers can easily prevent a robbery by being there, thanks to an escort request, a call this holiday season can be equally important in helping someone avoid a DWI, or worse. If someone has too much to drink on New Year’s Eve, or any night for that matter, Hardy said his department will help.
“Call us,” Hardy said. “We will get you a ride. It’s cheaper and safer if we get you a ride, than if we have to give you a ride to the station.”
Again a call does not equal an annoyance for the department.
“You are not bothering anyone,” Hardy said. “Call and we are coming.
“That is our job.”