CARENCRO, La. ( KLFY ) — The Carencro police chief says the justice system is broken.
O’shay Breaux was shot and killed at his Carencro home Jan. 2. His mother said four juveniles were arrested for his murder , and then released from jail shortly after on house arrest by posting a $150,000 bond.
To her, this isn’t justice. Carencro Police Chief David Anderson says he has to agree.
“We’re sending murderers home with an ankle bracelet,” Anderson said. “If they made the choice to pull the trigger or be involved in a homicide, do you think that an ankle monitor to make them stay home is really going to stop them from leaving, to either go and commit another crime or another homicide? Personally, I don’t think so.”
The chief says his detectives work hard to put murder cases together and present them to the district attorney’s office to get convictions, but he says the police department does not control who is sent home or released with an ankle monitor.
“Look, it does take time for these things to go to trial. It does take time to prepare for trials,” he said. “We understand that, but we need to fix the system.”
Close Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
KLFY Daily Digest
One issue is jail overcrowding.
“I know it’s a concern of all of the police chiefs in Lafayette Parish and in other areas about the overpopulation in the jail, and sometimes they can’t book people,” Anderson said. “But look, the sheriff is doing everything he can right now. This is not an issue the sheriff brought upon himself.”
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office recently spoke about the concern . LPSO says there are just more violent criminals being housed in the jail now more than ever before.
“I think if you build a brand new jail today, probably in a couple of months’ time, we’re going to be right back where we are. The jail will be full,” he added.
Anderson says a big contributor is that more young people are turning to violence. Just weeks ago, Carencro High School student Jaylin Joiner was ambushed while getting off the school bus and killed.
Former gang member is worried about teens in Acadiana A 19-year-old was arrested, and another 19-year-old and 20-year-old are still wanted for his murder.
“10 or 15 years ago, we were saying, ‘We need to reach juveniles at 15 or 16 years old,'” Anderson said. “I think now, we need to start reaching them at 8, 9, 10 years old.”
The chief hopes a new Louisiana law pushed throught the legislature by Governor Jeff Landry in his special session on crime could help.
“Come July, if you’re 17, you will be an adult, and you will be treated as an adult in the criminal court’s eyes,” he added.
Latest news
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Most Popular
Comments / 0