In a conversation on Acadiana Crimestoppers, Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas and Captain Shane Duplechin talk about the dangers of domestic violence.

“You see people that need help,” said Thomas.

With October being domestic violence awareness month, Thomas says through his years in law enforcement he has seen the worst of domestic violence

“We want people, the community, to understand that domestic violence is a very dangerous crime,” said Thomas. “So, we won’t tolerate it. Those people need to be taken off the streets.”

He says it’s about helping victims and giving them peace.

“The victim at this time is either hiding or in the fear, let’s do our part,” said Thomas.

So, Thomas took action.

“Marshal Thomas approached us, he wanted to emphasis folks on domestic violence warrants for this month,” said Duplechin.

Duplechin, with the Marshal’s Office, is tasked with leading the charge.

“I ran a report dating back to 2023 we had a total of 39 active arrest warrants for domestic violence,” said Duplechin.

But this would soon change.

“I got with my warrant team and said ‘Hey we’re focusing on this this month, and I want y’all to really go after it,'” said Duplechin.

The increased emphasis this month on domestic violence warrants has yielded results.

“They have located and apprehended several individuals clearing up a total of over 20 arrest warrants for individuals that have active warrants for domestic violence,” said Duplechin.

But Duplechin says, the work will never stop.

“We are making a dent in the arrests for domestic violence with that being said subjects are still not appearing in court to answer the charges so it’s a never-ending process,” said Duplechin.

Thomas says domestic violence is always closer than you think.

“I always said, someone that committed domestic violence, lives in your neighborhood. If it happened in Lafayette normally the person is in Lafayette,” said Thomas.

He is asking for the community’s help.

“If you see anyone or know that a spouse, or something, is on the run and you know where that person is at, contact our office,” said Thomas.

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