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Crowley police report shows crime declines; committee advances higher fines, restitution language and approves liquor-permit renewal
Summary
Police chief reported year-to-year drops in several categories; public-safety committee moved to send amendments raising minimum fines and adding restitution to city ordinances to council and approved a Class B liquor permit renewal for South Crowley Pantry.
Crowley’s Public Safety Committee on Jan. 14 received an annual report from Police Chief Troy Hebert that showed year-over-year reductions in several categories and approved steps to strengthen local penalties for some offenses.
Chief Hebert told the committee the department answered 649 calls in December and presented year-to-year comparisons showing declines: simple assaults averaged 15.4 per month in 2023 and 11.8 in 2024 (a 23% reduction), aggravated assaults and batteries averaged 11 per month in 2023 and 7.7 in 2024 (a 30% reduction), and burglaries averaged 15–16 per month in 2023 versus 6 in 2024 (a 60% reduction). “We had a reduction which is great,” Hebert said.
Policy changes proposed: Hebert and committee members discussed several ordinance changes intended to hold offenders accountable and support victims — including raising misdemeanor theft fines and adding restitution requirements so victims are repaid before fines are remitted to the city. The committee moved an amendment to chapter 1, section 1-8 (general penalties) to change the minimum fine from $50 to $100 and voted to introduce a set of amendments to chapter 7 of the criminal code (items A through CC on the agenda) for review by the city attorney before consideration by the full council.
Liquor permit: The committee also approved the renewal application for a 2025 Class B beer and liquor permit for South Crowley Pantry at 904 South Parkinson Avenue. Alderman Reggie recused himself from that vote.
Why it matters: The reductions reported by the department were presented alongside staffing challenges (the department remained several officers short), and leadership argued stronger local penalties, better restitution collection and dedicated follow-up on misdemeanors could further reduce crime and improve victim outcomes.
Next steps: The proposed ordinance changes will be reviewed by the city attorney and brought to full council, and the police department said it will continue follow-up work, training and staffing efforts.
