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Lafayette City Marshal's Office aims to clean up city parks, bond with community
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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Since the Lafayette Park Police was dissolved in the last administration, the city marshal's office has taken over the responsibility under Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet's leadership. They say their efforts are to revitalize the city parks and bond with the community there.
"The mayor came to us and said that she wanted to start the Park Police back again," said Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas.
Under the new administration, the Lafayette City Marshal's office has stepped up to fill needs. Its provided SROs to help out at charter schools, but most notably, it has taken over the city parks including patrolling and providing security.
"One of the things we want is for everyone to be safe we want people to see the Marshal's out there," Thomas said.
Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas has put Lieutenant Trev Patt in charge of overseeing the city park operation. Thomas says they aim to make people aware of their presence...and through tips from the public, help prevent crime in the parks. Several arrests have been made in this effort to clean up the parks. one call recently led to an arrest, with deputies seizing both drugs and weapons.
"My guys went over there and made an arrest," said Lieutenant Trev Patt. "The guy ended up with 26 ounces of marijuana, heroin, and weapon that we took off the streets, cleaning out the parks."
In additional to fighting the criminal element, Lieutenant Patt says deputies also serve humanitarian purposes.
"We do everything from snow cones to special Olympics in the park. We play basketball," said Thomas. "This helps to build the bond with the community they serve which leads to more trust, more tips, and less crime. "It's not only out just making sure everyone is safe, but we're starting to become a part of the parks and a part of the community.
The Lafayette City Marshal's office is sending out a message: City parks are cleaner and safer for all to enjoy.
"Everyone is telling me they see a big difference, and what we want to make a big difference, so we're going to be out at the parks and you're going to see the Marshal's office working really hard to make sure the parks are safe," said Thomas.