Citizens, officials come together during Town Hall to discuss stopping violence, crime in Abbeville

No one person alone can solve the issues with the crimes that continue to burden the city of Abbeville.
However, a room full of people from various aspects of the community committing to work together is a perfect place to start.
On Thursday, a standing-room-only crowd filled the meeting room at Abbeville City Hall for a town hall meeting focused on crime and public safety. Elected officials, religious leaders, members of law enforcement and other citizens provided ideas and passionately voiced concerns about what is a shared problem.
“I believe every one of us here has a vested interest in reducing crime in Abbeville and Vermilion Parish,” Mayor Roslyn White said, “no matter if you live here or not. I also believe we best achieve public safety by all working together and supporting each other. I know we have issues here. It’s not something we like to talk about, but it’s very important that we do. When a crime is committed anywhere in the city, we all feel it. It has a direct effect on all of us.
“It can only be ‘we’ if we are going to end violence in our community.”
Chief of Police Mike Hardy said the Abbeville Police Department is working tirelessly toward that end.
“We are here to talk about the shootings,” Hardy said of the multiple incidents during the past couple of weeks. “Everybody is concerned about the shootings. I have spoken to people who are afraid about what is happening.”
Speaking up is a way to help.
“We want everyone in this room to talk to us,” Hardy said. “We are trying to provide you with a safe town, but it takes all of us. Crime is a police department and public problem. We have a problem that we need to get rid of, and working together is the only thing that will help make that happen.”
While seeking input from community members, Hardy said Abbeville Police is working closely with other law enforcement agencies. That includes Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon’s Office. Capt. Drew David represented the office at Thursday’s meeting.
“When we’re called upon to assist,” David said, “the sheriff’s office is going to do everything possible to do that. When we were called upon in the past couple of weeks, we put together a proactive criminal patrol unit. They’ve been out in Abbeville with the Abbeville Police Department. Abbeville has asked for our assistance, and we’ve been out there doing criminal patrol.
“Whatever the Abbeville Police Department needs, if we can provide, we will do it. That’s the message from the sheriff.”
There is an avenue for concerned citizens to message law enforcement anonymously. Eddie Langlinais said Crime Stoppers of Vermilion is that avenue by calling 740-TIPS.
“I can tell you the information provided,” Langlinais said, “we don’t know who is sending it.
“You can report all of your tips anonymously.”
Denise Boudreaux is still waiting for information that leads to an arrest in connection to May 2020 shooting death of her son, James Jerome Darby.
“My baby was 29 years old,” Boudreaux said during Thursday’s meeting. “He was shot in killed in a driveway for no reason.”
Boudreaux said more would be in similar, tragic situations until this is viewed as a collective problem.
“We need to unite,” Boudreaux said. “If you see something, say something. Everyone in the neighborhood was concerned about your child when I was coming up. We all are human beings who have a heart. We love our children. Mothers have cried too many tears for the life of their children. Know who your child is with. Talk to your child.
“But we all need to unite because nobody wants to bury their children.”
Boudreaux said that is a pain she wants for no one.
“I am going to grieve until the day I die,” Boudreaux said. “I haven’t gone through the steps. I’m stuck on being angry. Of course, I’m mad, but that’s what’s forcing me to want to do something.”
That “something” can be any number of things. Bishop B.K. Stevens said it could be as simple as reaching out to youth and helping to provide something for them to do.
“They are looking for someone to reach out and show them a better way,” Stevens said.
District Judge Laurie Hulin and Abbeville City Court Judge Richard Putnam discussed issues from their viewpoint. Stevens did ask if there are pre-trial diversion options. Teen Court, which is currently building a foundation in Vermilion Parish, can offer such an option, said Teen Court Program Director Talitha Boudreaux on Thursday.
“Teen Court is for kids who get in trouble,” Talitha Boudreaux said. “We are losing our children. Parents, if y’all are having problems with your kids, call me. My number is 337-398-6998. We’re at the Nehemiah Projects (100 S State St. in Abbeville). We have all kinds of different programs.
“We have what y’all need.”
Funding will be needed for some ideas to work. Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., who chairs the city’s finance committee, said that should be strongly considered where applicable.
“As the finance chairman,” Touchet said, “I heard (tonight) that we need to put our money where our mouth is. So things that we hear from the community, we are going to bring it to the table to see what this council can do.”
Touchet also requested a thorough review of everything related to juvenile curfew ordinances.
Others ideas came forth on Thursday, such as mentoring programs, satellite offices for police in crime hot spots, the formation of neighborhood watch groups, and cleaning up of blighted properties. Many in attendance championed prayer and church attendance. Councilwoman Terry Broussard, admittedly beleaguered by continued crime, said Thursday was a positive pivot.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” Broussard said. “It shows that care about your community and that care about your community and that you love your city. I know people are tired and scared. I’m afraid because I don’t want to wake up one morning and get a text or phone call that someone has been murdered.
“Stay in touch, and I will stay in touch with you.”
White said there would be other opportunities, like Thursday.
“We will plan another meeting like this in the next few weeks,” White said.