Police jury seeks false fire alarm fees

• By MARTEL ARDOIN
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Oct 13, 2009 - Page: 3B-Acadiana Edition

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VILLE PLATTE — The Evangeline Parish Police Jury on Monday referred to its legal adviser a recommendation to fashion an ordinance aimed at limiting the number of false fire alarm activations.

Ville Platte Fire Chief Ted Demoruelle said he recommends targeting faulty alarm systems in businesses and residences that keep activating time and again. In the past month, his department responded to the same business six times in a 24-hour period, he said. Instead of repairing the alarm, the business owner simply reset the alarm.

Demoruelle recommends no charge for the first alarm, a warning for the second false alarm and then billing the business or home owner $300 for the third false alarm.

“Our goal is not to bill or to fine people, but to encourage them to repair their alarms.,” Demourelle said. “It is a matter of public safety.”

In other business, the police jury:

• Voted to apply for a community development block grant to rehabilitate three parish-owned sewer systems. Jury President Bob Manuel said the parish will apply for up to $600,000 to make major improvements to the Doucet subdivision on the Chicot Park Road, the Wyble system off Chataignier Road, and the Dupre system off Belaire Cove Road.
• Heard from Johnique Williams, partnership assistant with the U.S. Census Bureau’s regional office in Dallas. She is asking for assistance from the parish to encourage residents to file their census questionnaires next year.
• Approved the purchase of a new Chip Seal truck at a cost of $133,500.
• Approved Halloween trick-or-treating hours recommended by Sheriff Eddie Soileau of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 for rural areas of the parish.