Louisiana Police Department Closed Due to Lack of Funds
Wouldn't it be great if law enforcement was a job similar to those found in retail stores or restaurants? You know the kind of job where folks are always excited to see you. They look forward to working with you. And, there is a finite workday. I would believe that many in law enforcement would jump at the chance to have their current job situation and hours adjusted to those in the "real world" as we like to call it.
The fact is we don't live in the "real world", the members of our law enforcement community do. And, while we are enjoying celebrations like Mardi Gras, they are at work keeping us safe from ourselves. While we are at home in our beds, these men and women are patrolling streets and keeping a mindful watch over our communities.
Well, that's the situation in most communities in Louisiana but, there's one city in the state where criminals will just have to go elsewhere to get arrested. That place is Lake Providence. Lake Providence is located in East Carrol Parish in the northeastern part of the state.
It's right along the Mississippi River and right now, the police force in Lake Providence is broke. Mayor Jerry Bell says the Lake Providence Police Department has already burned through its annual budget. If you haven't checked the calendar, it's only March. There is still a "whole lotta year" left to go.
Just for clarity's sake, the Lake Providence fiscal year actually runs from July through June so it's not as bad as it might seem, but when you have to close the police department, it's pretty bad.
Mayor Bell says he believes the confusion over the department's budget woes is more about inexperience than overspending. While there certainly are some budget cuts and cost-saving measures that could be implemented, the real issue lies with spending or in this case overspending mainly on salary.
Lake Providence Police Chief Leroy Threats will need to issue a plan to the city government outlining his plan for correcting the shortfall. However, Mayor Bell says Chief Threats, who was elected in a special election last summer, appears to be taking very little if any action on the problem. In fact, Threats reportedly has plans to retire.
It is possible legal action could be taken against Chief Threats as the Lake Providence Department falls under the Lawrason Act. That's "the body of law that governs operations of most of the incorporated municipalities in Louisiana". Under that act, Chief Threats must submit a plan. If he does not, it is possible charges of malfeasance could be levied.
In the short term, criminals who want to commit crimes in Lake Providence will be graciously arrested by members of the East Carroll Parish Sheriff's Department. They will be overseeing patrols of Lake Providence until such time as the current budgetary woes have been remedied.
In the meantime, you can keep your criminal mind occupied by learning these amazing facts about Louisiana.
19 Straight Up Facts You Can't Argue with About Louisiana