Absences anger residents

• By JASON BROWN
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Jul 8, 2009 - Page: 1BA

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GRAND COTEAU — There were demands for recalls and resignations Tuesday night after 35 Grand Coteau residents filed into Town Hall to discuss crime and ineffective policing only to find that their mayor and elected police chief were absent from the proceedings.

Their absences only fanned the flames and there is now talk of starting a petition to have both officials removed from office.

The meeting follows a rash of unsolved break-ins, including one last month at Town Hall, in the St. Landry Parish town of roughly 1,040 residents.

Alderwoman Pamela Barriere said residents have complained to her about the time it takes for police reports to be filed, officers not following through on complaints and of others getting caught sleeping on the job.

Residents also complained that too many cases remain unsolved and that officers rarely take fingerprints at crime scenes.

Barriere said she had hoped to get answers about those allegations during the meeting.

Neither Mayor Gail Lark nor Police Chief Margaret R. Coco could be reached Tuesday for comment. Two calls to Lark’s office earlier Tuesday and a call each to her home and to Coco’s home after the meeting were not returned.

Lark sent word through Alderman Wilton Guidry that she would be unable to attend the meeting.

No one at the meeting could explain why Coco was not present.

Alderman John Lewis said Coco will not even talk to the five-member board about the break-ins or other crime-related problems.

“So, we’re just as much in the dark as the people sitting right here,” Lewis said.

Resident Quintella Dugas Livings expressed outrage over their absences and called for their resignations.

“We elected them and they’re showing us no respect,” she said. “How can we feel safe in this town when we can’t get answers?”