RSS Feed

Parents and caregivers of children need to inform themselves and prepare for a new Louisiana child safety seat law that goes into effect on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission said.
The new law keeps children in more protected restraint systems and safer positions until they are older, LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said.
"We have a law that is considered a model for other states to follow, but our goal is to make sure it is followed here in Louisiana," Freeman said. "I urge anyone who transports a child in a motor vehicle to inform themselves about the new law and to ensure their child is properly restrained in the right seat in the right position."
The new law requires children in a motor vehicle to remain in the most protected category of child restraint for a longer period of time. Children must remain in car seats, boosters or the back seat of vehicles for as long as is appropriate for a child’s age, and according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions for height and weight limitations. The new law also requires that all children ride in the back seat of vehicles with lap and shoulder belts until they are 13 years old.
Louisiana State Police produced a video outlining how the new law works. The video can be viewed on the LHSC Facebook page under “videos.” LHSC also maintains a list of fitting stations where parents, grandparents and caregivers can get a free child seat installation from a qualified technician.

CROWLEY – Shortly after 5:30 a.m. on July 29, Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 100 east of McCain Road in Acadia Parish.
The crash claimed the life of 55-year-old Norges Ortiz of Houston, TX.
The preliminary investigation by State Police revealed Ortiz was driving a 2012 Nissan Versa westbound on LA Hwy 100. For unknown reasons, Ortiz crossed the center line into the eastbound lane of travel. Upon doing so the Nissan struck an eastbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado.
Despite being properly restrained, Ortiz suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Silverado was properly restrained and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Impairment is unknown, but toxicology samples were taken from the drivers for analysis. This crash remains under investigation. There is no further information available at this time.
Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted, always ensure every occupant is properly restrained, and follow all traffic laws. Taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.

The Abbeville Police Department will no longer provide security for School Board meetings.
For the last year, the Abbeville Police Department has been providing the school board with officers who were not on duty. A year ago it only took one officer to attend the meeting. Then this summer, Abbeville Police Chief Bill Spearman said two officers were needed for security.
After Thursday’s meeting, the Chief decided the Abbeville Police Department will not be furnishing anymore off duty officers. He wrote a letter to the school board letting them know.
At Thursday’s meeting, officers Jason Hebert and James Wood had to stop superintendent Jerome Puyau from going into exectutive session with the school board members. The two officers stood next to the door to make sure Puyau did not go in.
The off duty officers were paid $35 per hour by the school board and have been averaging at least three hours of security.
Before the Abbeville Police Department, the Abbeville City Marshal’s Office provided security. After the Deysha Hargrave arrest, the Abbeville City Marshal’s office did not go back to the school board meeting.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office provided an officer in the parking lot during and after the school board meetings.