‘Stealth’ patrols also used to enforce laws in storm

To combat looting and curfew violations in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, which hit Monday afternoon, the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office deployed “stealth” patrols in addition to its regular marked patrols.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal said the stealth method involves “saturation enforcement” that was used during the hurricane emergency. He said it proved effective.

The approach involved 12 deputies on patrol with all-terrain vehicles, 12 deputies on foot in New Iberia’s downtown business district and another 15 to 20 unmarked vehicles used for patrol during the curfew hours.

“As a rule, we normally cannot use unmarked vehicles,” Ackal said. “However, due to the state of emergency, we can use whatever methods we deem necessary.”

Ackal said the sheriff’s office is averaging about 70 deputies on the street at a given time during the curfew and extra patrols will be used at night for some time.

Public Information Officer Wendell Raborn said 28 arrests for curfew violation were made as of Wednesday afternoon. They include five overnight Sunday, six Monday and 17 Tuesday. Raborn was uncertain if those arrested, whose pre-set bond was $50,000, were still being held in the Iberia Parish Correctional Center.

“It’s not a joke,” Raborn said, of the curfew and the high pre-set bond for those charged with violating it. “It tries to get people to stay in. It’s a serious thing to violate curfew during a state of emergency, both for their own safety and for that of the general public.”

Raborn said the curfew will remain in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and those who violate the curfew will be subject to arrest until Iberia Parish President Ernest Freyou makes the decision to lift it.

“As of now it’s still hazardous out there,” Raborn said.

Two New Iberia men, Roger Reed, 30, of 908 Province St., and Gerald Durall, 28, of 246 Rosier St., were arrested for looting in separate incidents Monday night in addition to curfew violation. Reed allegedly tried to loot undetermined items out a house but was caught by deputies inside the house, in the 1000 block of St. Jude St. with another suspect who got away. Durall was arrested and charged with trying to loot a jewelry store in the 200 block of E. Main St., Raborn said.

Raborn said the sheriff’s office continued its regular law enforcement duties, including executing warrants and routine patrol activities, in addition to hurricane related efforts. Arrests were reported for simple battery, DWI and other charges.

“Our deputies and the state police are still out there working,” Raborn said.