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Police chief pitches camera network, cites rising DWIs and jail capacity limits
Summary
Chief Troy Hebert reported rising DWI arrests and ongoing thefts, said the sheriff agreed to accept some prisoners, and described a camera plan for parks and public spaces that the department says could cut crime where cameras are used by about 75 percent.
Crowley Police Chief Troy Hebert told the public safety committee the department is seeing more arrests for driving while intoxicated and continuing theft problems, while also discussing a proposed camera network and the constraints created by limited local jail capacity.
“In the month of March, our officers answered 748 calls,” Chief Hebert said, and he reported an arrest total of 67 for the month. He said DWI arrests have increased sharply year-over-year — “We increased over 200 as far as for DWI arrest” — and thefts stay elevated (43 theft reports in the month), a trend he called concerning.
Hebert described continuing jail limitations as an operational problem for misdemeanor custody. He said he has discussed capacity with the parish sheriff and that the sheriff’s office has cleared some room to accept prisoners, which should improve the department’s ability to charge and hold offenders in appropriate cases.
A large portion of the committee discussion focused on a proposed video camera network to cover parks and public spaces and to provide evidence to identify suspects. Chief Hebert described technical and cost issues, including that some poles are owned by utilities (Cleco or AT&T) and ownership must be confirmed before mounting cameras. He said the department is negotiating with vendors and pursuing a mix of city-owned poles and permission to use existing utility poles.
Hebert described potential community and business partnerships for camera access: business or private cameras could be linked to the system with permission so the department could view outside footage for public safety purposes. “Wherever you put a camera at, you have a 75% reduction in crime,” he said, describing the expected deterrent effect.
Council members asked whether residents and small businesses could participate; Hebert said yes, the program could be open to private participants who give access to outside-facing cameras while preserving interior privacy. He also said the department is exploring lower-cost temporary traffic-control tools (three-foot cones) to quickly block flooded roads until the city can deliver larger barricades.
On equipment and fleet issues, Hebert said patrol vehicles are aging and expensive to repair; the department plans to request vehicle replacements in future budgets and may order vehicles ahead of September budget cycles to improve turnaround time.
Chief Hebert said he will return to council with more detailed cost estimates and a phased plan for camera deployment once pole ownership and pricing are confirmed.
