Naomi B. Jones
March 11, 2008Exhibits
March 13, 2008The Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority is seeking local law enforcement and government assistance to beef up security in Senator Circle, one of Houma’s low-income residential areas.
The housing authority’s board of commissioners is exploring three possible security options: adding an 8-foot perimeter fence, adding surveillance cameras or a full-time guard posted at the station at the front entrance of the complex.
There’s only one hitch: it doesn’t have the money, said Wayne Thibodeaux, housing authority executive director.
A local architect estimates that the housing authority would have to shell out a little more than $750,000 to erect a steel fence around Senator Circle, according to Thibodeaux.
To a lesser extent, the latter two options are being employed. A camera monitors the front entrance of the housing complex, but it has limited viewing capability.
“We have the guard shack, but we need someone to be in it at all times,” said Telisa Clark, a Senator Circle resident.
Commissioner Brenda Belcher said she has been pushing for increased security for years.
“We have been discussing this from past administrations, but nothing’s going to be done without a commitment from the Houma Police Department and financial backing from the parish government,” said Belcher, who is also a Senator Circle resident.
Though the Houma Police sends officers to patrol the area, crime and drug activity remains a constant problem, Thibodeaux said.
“We are no less civilians than any other residential area in Terrebonne Parish; we pay taxes just like everybody else. We have too much influence from the outside. We need to feel safe, too,” Belcher said.
Commissioner Allan Luke suggested that the board offer ideas and decide what it wants so Thibodeaux has direction when looking at prices and security equipment.
“We need to monitor cars because we need to know who’s coming in and out (of the complex),” Luke said.
The commissioners will next meet at 1:30 p.m. on March 25, in the Senator Circle Management and Maintenance building’s auditorium, 100 Senator Circle.
