OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) – In this week’s episode of Acadiana Crimestoppers, we sit down with Joe Anderson, PIO of Opelousas Police to discuss dropping crime numbers in Opelousas.

He credits Chief Graig Leblanc for the culture he’s introduced to the department, the proactive steps being taken, and the citizens themselves.

“We have seen a great decrease in crime, because he’s a hands-on chief,” said Anderson.

Anderson also says the chief believes in being out in the community and it’s the bond with the community leading to the positive results.

“He has us out there in the community protecting and serving and doing what we need to let the citizens of Opelousas know that we are here and we are here to be that buffer between them and anything that could happen wrong in the city,” said Anderson.

Crime stats continue to drop in the city of Opelousas. The department has put an emphasis on public education and awareness. This increased vigilance can prevent crimes such as car burglaries and decrease the number of illegal weapons on the streets.

“Some forget to lock your doors, and you leave your valuables in plain sight,” said Anderson. “We infer that you take your valuables and your weapons and move them into your house.”

Another area of emphasis has been on traffic enforcement.

“Speeding in the state of Louisiana, that is the third leading reason that people die in the state of Louisiana,” said Anderson.

Speed cameras have been in operation across the city since 2023.

“These cameras are in place as a preventive measure to let people know that if you come speeding through here you will be ticketed,” he said. “We always want to protect the elderly and the children and with these speeding cameras, speeding has reduced in Opelousas drastically.”

Anderson also thanks residents of Opelousas for keeping the half-cent sales tax, which is 25% of the city’s spending budget, on the books. He argues, it allows the department to continue to be proactive.

“Nobody can lose 25% of their paycheck and function like they used to function,” said Anderson.

Next order of business for the department will be policing football games this Fall, with the help of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“There is a clear bag policy in place,” said Anderson. “When you go to a game, we want you to be safe, feel safe, and know what the policy is.”

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