LAKE CHARLES, La. – It’s a problem that’s not isolated to the Lake Area – crime, especially juvenile crime, is plaguing cities across the U.S.
“I see more and more reports all the time,” said Suzanne Kelley.
It leaves a lot of people wondering what’s the real problem. Home life? Lack of guidance? Social media?
“The home is just not where it needs to be, that kids aren’t getting the guidance they need,” Kelley said. “It’s been going on for years.”
It didn’t happen overnight, and the growing problem of juvenile crime won’t be solved overnight either. Lake Charles’ elected officials, as well as the Lake Charles Police Department and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, said they are asking for the community’s help.
“We have a concern, and that concern is violence in our community,” said Police Chief Shawn Caldwell.
“Reach out to somebody so that we can relay that to the police department so that we can get ahead of this,” said City Council Vice President Craig Marks.
“Parents, grandparents, we need your help to keep our communities safe,” said council member Rodney Geyen.
It comes after numerous school threats and a recent house party that turned violent. Six people were shot, including a Barbe High School senior who spent time in intensive care. The suspect was a teenager himself.
Officials are asking parents and guardians to get more involved, especially when it comes to monitoring social media, and to have those tough conversations with their children.
“Look them in the eye and tell them that a stupid decision that took that individual seconds to make is going to destroy their life forever,” said Mayor Nic Hunter.
Police are reminding everyone to lock their vehicles or take their firearms inside. CPSO reports 124 stolen guns this year alone.
“This is how these kids are getting these guns,” said Sheriff-elect Stitch Guillory. “Unlocked car doors.”
The overall message: let’s change course.
“Not here,” said Caldwell. “We don’t want it here, and if we have to be the change, then so be it.”
“It’s really easy to point the finger at an elected official, a sheriff, a police department or whoever, but we have to come together and work together,” said council member Ronnie Harvey Jr. “That’s what’s really going to solve these problems that we have.”
“It’s not a law enforcement issue, it’s not a political issue. It’s an issue for all of us, and we need to sit up and take notice and try to do something to make Lake Charles better,” said Councilwoman Luvertha August.
City Council President Mark Eckard was also present when we discussed the issue with officials.
Officials stress the importance for young people and adults to speak up, even anonymously, if they see something, whether it is a large gathering, suspicious activity on home security video, or the actions of a friend.
They also ask parents to be aware of any changes in their children.