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According to the Vermilion Parish’s Sheriff Office’s new public information officer and Violent Crimes Task Force Director Eddie Langlinais, the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force along with Abbeville Police Department teamed up to reactivate the Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF).
VCTF Director Langlinais acknowledges the VCTF has been successful in the past by getting violent criminals off of the streets of Abbeville and making our communities safer.
Sadly, after an uptick in violent crime, it was evident that some of the criminal elements in our communities have reverted to the violence that disturbed and disrupted the streets of Abbeville in the past.
According to Langlinais, he was given full authority in reassembling the Vermilion Municipal and Sheriff’s Task Force, from Sheriff Mike Couvillon, Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza, and Abbeville Chief of Police Bill Spearman to include restructuring, redefining and redirecting the task force.
Agencies that have committed to being part of the VCTF now include: the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force; the Abbeville Police Department; the Louisiana State Police; the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI); Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF); and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Under the direction and leadership of Langlinais, the VCTF will continue its core efforts to investigate existing unsolved violent crimes, with the goal of arresting those responsible.
Langlinais is also directing and leading a newly created street level enforcement unit called the “Street Crimes Suppression Unit” (SCSU), by utilizing a united multi agency law enforcement team in specific areas to provide an aggressive street enforcement presence coupled with a zero-tolerance against crimes of violence and/or the illegal carry and use of firearms by convicted felons.
“One of the first things I did was to redefine the objectives of the VCTF’s mission as a multiple agency task force. We immediately created a subunit titled and described as the VCTF’s “Street Crimes Suppression Unit” (SCSU) tasked out to pursue specific targets with several new objectives, including focusing and identifying crimes (both old and new) that might rise to the level of federal prosecution, which often results in stiffer and longer sentencing and could result in keeping these type offenders where they belong… behind bars,” said Director Langlinais.
Langlinais said that stricter and longer prison sentences might send a clear message to the criminals that continue to plague our streets with crime and violence.
“We will not tolerate these crimes against person(s) in our neighborhoods, communities, or back yards, and it is time we unite, take action and stand our ground to hold those responsible, accountable.”
According to Langlinais, he has already met with the new 15th Judicial District Attorney Don Landry, and a representative from the United States Attorney Office, and both are very receptive to the idea of charging and prosecuting offenders at the federal level when crimes meet the statutory requirements.
Langlinais added, “It is sad when our citizens feel they have to live in seclusion in their own community. People in these neighborhoods are in fear of repercussions or retaliation from criminals if they provide information about a crime, and that is a huge handicap for law enforcement. The ability for law enforcement to solve crimes is contingent upon information, and often times it is the community that holds the key to unlocking that crucial piece of evidence that will make the case. It is our goal to develop a trusted anonymous tipster program where our neighborhoods can partner with local law enforcement and feel confident about remaining totally anonymous in providing information to law enforcement, so that cases can be solved and criminals taken off the streets. Residents deserve the right to live a normal and peaceful life, and the only way to make this possible is through the communities working together with local law enforcement.”
Langlinais said that he is proud to be able to manage, lead, and direct a group of dedicated law enforcement officers from the Sheriff’s office and Abbeville Police Department in the new SCSU.
According to Langlinais, the SCSU has made significant progress in the few months since he became director, arresting 20 offenders on various charges related to violent crimes, some of which meet the criteria to prosecute at the federal level.
Langlinais closed his interview by saying, “We have only just begun, and we will continue with absolute and relentless effort to bring resolve to the victims of these type of crimes while making our streets safer.”
Sheriff Mike Couvillon said, “As promised, I will continue to move your Sherriff’s office forward until the very last day I serve. We are fortunate to be able to bring retired Federal Marshal Eddie Langlinais into our united law enforcement efforts. His 35 plus years of law enforcement experience (24 of them being at the federal level) coupled with his ties to state and federal agencies, have already proven to be a great asset as we aggressively pursue those responsible for both past and present felony crimes within the city of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish.”

By Alison Miller, Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Executive Director

Each year, the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission (VPTC) compiles tourism figures and compares these numbers to previous years to measure how tourism is doing in the parish.
Due to the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order, which was issued a year ago, the Tourist Center was closed from March to May 2020 resulting in a loss of visitation. With less people traveling to the parish, the Commission also suffered a loss of revenue, as most businesses did during this time.
VPTC is solely funded through a two percent occupancy tax on parish accommodations to operate the Tourist Center and market the parish as a tourist destination. Although starting the first quarter of 2020 at 40% below anticipate revenue, 2020 occupancy tax revenue was over $65,300 (27% percent increase over 2019). This increase was due largely to the hurricanes that hit Southwest Louisiana last fall with evacuees staying in our accommodations.
According to official tourism figures, VPTC had a total of 15,303 inquiries for 2020. This figure represents 553 visitors stopping in the Center for information; 302 call-ins; 5,522 website requests and information downloads; 8,926 requests from e-mail and ads placed in regional and national publications. Walk-in visitors included people from all over the United States, Canada, France and Mexico. Over 207,000 people visited the tourism website in 2020 and social media numbers continue to grow each year. Although actual visitation was down from 2,429 in 2019, phone calls, emails and other requests for information was in-line with 2019 figures.
To cover the majority of the marketing costs, VPTC applies for grants whenever possible. In early 2020, the Commission applied for and received over $17,000 from the Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT) to help market the parish. In addition to this grant, VPTC received a $17,000 LOT Sunshine Grant in December to be used on advertising in the first half of 2021. In the Spring of 2020, a new marketing campaign was created in-house. Print and digital ads were placed in key locations within the state and in drive markets to entice visitors to our parish once things started to reopen.
VPTC is optimistic that tourism will finish 2021 strong as more things in our parish open for visitors and locals. The Tourist Center is starting to see visitors come in for information and the parish’s fall festivals are returning which should bring in much needed revenue for our parish.
For more information or to request a copy of the 2020 Progress Report, contact VPTC at 898-6600 or info@vermilion.org. The Tourist Commission office is located at 200 N. Magdalen Square in downtown Abbeville and is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Funeral services honoring the life of Rebecca Ann Moreland will be held on Saturday March 27, 2021 at Family Life Church, 2223 Dulles Drive Lafayette, LA. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 AM until time of services at 5 PM. Pastors Todd Menard and Dick Menard of Family Life Church, siblings of Rebecca, will officiate the services.
Rebecca aka “Becky” was born October 16, 1957 and raised in the town of Erath, LA. Becky passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by her family, Monday, March 22, 2021 in Abbeville, LA.
Becky was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved music and spending time with friends and family. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband David Joe Moreland; daughters Nelda Menard Pontiff and her husband Brian Pontiff and Nita Menard Hayes and her significant other Darrel Connor Jr.; sons Stuart Ophie Menard and David Allen Menard; ten grandchildren Desiree Luquette, Bailey Duhon, Brooke Duhon, Trey Williams, Dillon Menard, Gavin Menard, Kathryn Huckaby, Jadyn Menard, Jenna Connor and Lynnie Connor; one great grandchild Carson Anthony Menard; six siblings and sisters-in-law, Larry (Lenora) Menard, Doris “Boze” Menard, Curt (Arlene) Menard, Dick (Carla) Menard, Todd (Tonya) Menard and Darrel Menard; father and mother in law James and Betty Moreland; in-laws Tony (Suzanna) Delcambre, Betty Ann Chauvin, Rodrick (Evelean) Courville and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Gavin Menard, Trey Williams, Konner Leon, Bragen Angelle, Blake Bourque and Darrel “DJ” Conner Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dillon Menard, Stuart Menard and David Menard.
Rebecca is preceded in death by her father Doris Leon “DL” Menard and her mother Lou Ella Abshire Menard; paternal grandfather Ophie Menard; paternal grandmother Helena Primeaux Menard; maternal grandfather Allen Abshire; maternal grandmother Olivia Bertrand Abshire and brothers-in-law Ralph Chauvin and William Moreland and nephew Chris Chauvin.
Share your condolences and words of comfort with the family of Rebecca Moreland by visiting www.lafuneralservices.com
Rebecca Moreland and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Louisiana Funeral Services & Crematory of Broussard (337) 330-8006.

ERATH — Last Saturday’s special election in Erath yielded a historical result.
After more than 120 years, Clarence Fusilier will become the first African American to serve on the Erath council. Fusilier defeated Chris Hebert to earn the spot.
“It means a lot to me,” Fusilier said of breaking the barrier. “I am proud of that fact.”
The moment didn’t come without a little bit of stress. Fusilier won by 11 votes.
“I was sweating a little bit,” Fusilier said with a laugh.
Erath’s next regular council meeting is Monday, April 12. Fusilier said he will be sworn in at some point prior to that meeting. He will be ready to hit the ground running.
“I did a lot of walking for this election,” Fusilier said of his time campaigning. “I went house to house. I heard the issues people have with different things.
“I have to see what we can do.”
Fusilier said he used the word “we” because he is also ready to work with Mayor Taylor Mencacci and the other council members.
“It’s not just about me,” Fusilier said. “It’s about the working relationship with the mayor the rest of the council. Things will not happen all at once.
“This will be a process.”
Fusilier said that there were a couple of issues brought to his attention on the campaign trail that will have his focus early on.
“I heard from a lot of people about their light bills,” Fusilier said. “They think it’s a little higher than expected.”
Fusilier also mentioned working on fixing the issue of flooding at the Erath Housing Authority. That topic came up last month, with the council taking Mencacci’s recommendation to not yet accept a $2.2 million grant from FEMA that would go toward lifting 13 homes. Mencacci said he is waiting on HUD to approve the use of $40,000 that the Erath Housing Authority would contribute to the elevating of the 13 homes. He wanted to make sure HUD will let the housing authority use the $40,000 to lift the houses. Fusilier said finding a resolution to this flooding issue has personal meaning for him.
“I will bring that up,” Fusilier said. “I think that is important. I used to live in there a long time ago, in 1973. It used to flood when I was in there.
“I’ve seen first-hand.”
This is not the first time Fusilier has run for a seat on the five-person council.
“I ran in 2014,” Fusilier said. “There were seven of us running. I didn’t come out in the top five.”
Not deterred, Fusilier did seek some advice before running in this particular election.
“I prayed on it,” Fusilier said. “I said, ‘Lord, I’m going to run one more time.’
“He sure did answer my prayers.”
Fusilier will now serve the remainder of the late Robert B. Vincent’s unexpired term, which ends in late ‘22. Vincent passed away last October. The council then appointed his mother, Jackie Vincent, to serve on an interim basis. She did so until earlier this month. Fusilier, who works as a foreman for the Vermilion Parish Police Jury, said it is special to follow both Vincents.
“I appreciate Mrs. Jackie, and I became close to Robert,” Fusilier said. “We did Knights of Columbus together.
“It is an honor to be able to serve in a spot that he held.”
For Jackie Vincent, the feeling is mutual.
“Today I passed the torch of Robert’s term on the council to Mr. Clarence Fusilier,” Vincent said in a post on social media. “Mr. Fusilier won his election this past Saturday. My son, Robert B. Vincent, was an attorney, councilman, and local historian. He was a strong believer in equality and diversity. He would be thrilled that the first black man in the history of ERATH will take his place. It took 122 years to break that barrier. It was time.
“Good luck, Mr. Fusilier. I’m so proud that you are filling my son’s shoes.”
Circling back to the historical aspect of his win, Fusilier reiterated that it is a proud moment. With that said, he is ready to help everyone in the Town of Erath.
“It means a lot to me to be the first,” Fusilier said. “It’s uplifting. We have waited for so long, and I guess it was just that time. My heart is in this, and it is in my heart to help people.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to do that.”