SWAT training with explosives disrupts Lafayette neighborhood
LAFAYETTE, LA. (KLFY) -- In the span of four minutes, news 10 caught three separate explosions on camera at the former S.J. Montgomery Elementary school.
Nearby residents, like Stephen Bordelon, said the booms began without warning shaking homes and setting off car alarms.
"We fully support all law enforcement officers." Bordelon said. "We support their training. Like I said, I've been here 20 years, so I fully support them training and school environments as well. But since Wednesday, the sheriff's office has been training across the street from us with no notice of explosives training."
Stephen Bordelon said the unexpected blasts frightened pets and startled drivers passing by.
"Our dogs are not happy right now." Bordelon said. "If they didn't have PTSD before, they do now. You know, just like the the city always tells us. And like, my wife says, well, you're not allowed to shoot fireworks in the neighborhoods because of the animals and people with PTSD. It sure would have been nice to have a little notice about explosions in the neighborhood.
The sheriff's office confirmed its SWAT team was undergoing explosive breaching training inside the abandoned school. Staff Sergeant Chris Cormier said the course was led by a nationally recognized company and the building was chosen because of it's tough structure and it's already been set for demolition.
"They're going over different scenarios like if a an active shooter would take place in a school or a hospital." Sgt. Cormier said. "You know, those structures and doors are different and our swat team needs to be familiar and ready for any type of circumstances that may or may not occur in Lafayette Parish for the betterment of of our citizens."
After neighborhood complaints, Sgt. Cormier said the sheriff's office terminated the training early. But hours after that interview News 10's cameras recorded multiple more explosions coming from the same site.
"We don't want t-o bother anyone any more than what we already have. We've heard their complaints and we are terminating the training in the area." Sgt. Cormier said