Ville Platte Housing Authority announces zero tolerance for gun violence
Arthur Sampson Jr., the chairman of the Ville Platte Housing Authority Board, said this year so far there have been four to five shootings at the apartments.
VILLE PLATTE, La. (KLFY)-- To combat gun violence the Ville Platte Housing Authority leaders are warning residents of the authority behind violence will not be tolerated. Arthur Sampson Jr., the chairman of the Ville Platte Housing Authority Board, said this year so far there have been four to five shootings at the apartments.
“We just have concerns about the recent young men walking around the housing authority with guns, and it's time to put a stop to that and we are just going to take action. We’re letting them know when you come to the Ville Platte Housing Authority you get caught with these guns on the grounds you will be prosecuted to the fullest of the law,” Sampson Jr., said. “Even contacting the federal government on that level to see what can we do and we let the tenants know if y’all allow these individuals to come into your apartment with these guns and stuff you will face some consequences too.”
He explained how surveillance cameras captured on Wednesday, two to three men walking around with guns.
“That's just unsafe for the residents, especially the kids. People just out there just having a good time or just playing in the yard and everything and these young men want to come with these guns, we're not going to tolerate it anymore,” he told News 10.
“These young men, they don't have any respect for anybody," he added. "You don’t know where these bullets are going in up at. They could kill an innocent kid, and it is time to put a stop to it and we’re going to beef up security and everything.”
The chairman said on Sunday there was a shooting and authorities arrested Eric White, 22 on July 4 for multiple felony charges including illegal carrying of weapon. He is currently held in the Evangeline Parish Jail.
Sampson Jr. said they plan on getting cameras. They added a metal detector for the office. Also, have the city marshal working in the evenings and weekends on the portal. They are looking at getting grants to have them 24/7 but funding was put in the budget to have them which will probably last for a year.
Another change is tearing down the tree near the housing authority office.
“It's time for a change and we’re tearing down this tree where they conjugate a lot,” he said. “Just trying to put the word out. We're not going to tolerate this anymore in the housing authority. It’s enough.”