Editor, The Era-Leader:
Having read Chief Justin Brown's Comments in the March 19th edition of the Era-Leader brings to the forefront a looming problem in Mayor Sharp's term.
The town suffers a mass shooting of 5 people. The following town council meeting, the mayor proposes 3 additions to the PD and all 3 are not approved because of a “policy” issue. Alderperson Crain asked if these positions had been advertised. No one knew for certain (as it turns out, there were advertisements some months ago).
Then the headline from WDSU news, which happened to be there, “Franklinton board rejects new police hires after mass shooting”.
Then, on March 14th, a special council meeting was called and the full-time position was approved along with 5 reserve officer positions approved. Go figure, huh?
Well, the full-time officer decided to remain where she was. The other applicants decided that they didn't want to endure the tomfoolery of an environment that was so against their local PD. And, word will spread that Franklinton is not a nice place for law enforcement officers. Your town police department is short 6 full-time police officers and 5 reserve officers.
Then on March 18th, there was a shooting incident near two schools that were put in lockdown until the situation was resolved by Chief Brown and his officers with assistance from the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office.
Two shooting incidents within two weeks and 3 aldermen, who placed a petty policy rule, above the safety of the citizens of the town.
There was a pep rally of sorts at the council meeting of the 11th with people chanting, “Franklinton Strong”! Well, these 3 town council members turned that into an object of hypocrisy. IMHO, their actions certainly aren't helping the town to be strong.
This new parade committee, being formed after the shooting incident that occurred hours after the Pepe' parade rolled, is going to have as one of its main concerns, public safety. How are you going to have a decent level of public safety if you don't allow your police department to be fully staffed?
Ben M Sarro
Franklinton
