Several families who have lost a loved one to crime are speaking out about their loss. The families hope their message will help bring change to the city.
“Some days I want to be out. Some days I want to be in. It gets to me a lot because those kids look up to me in this society. The community,” said Tamara Benjamin Jackson. Her husband was shot and killed in May 2016.
“They looked up to me and Donell as one. So, when not seeing him, it leaves me a little strong enough to know you’re standing for something,” she added.
Residents, like Jackson, filled Bouligny Plaza sharing memories of their lost loved ones and how death has impacted their families. Many are suffering mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.
“I’m still watching my babies cry day by day,” Jackson said.
Many mothers are picking up the responsibilities left behind.
“I’ve been here 43 years and I’ve never seen nothing like I see now,” said Cindy Lewis. Her son, Donte Lamar Lewis was killed in March 2018.
“He can’t even raise his kids no more and it’s like, it’s on me to bear whatever needs to be done now and it’s real hard,” she added.
Some families are still searching for closure. Kevin Bowser’s brother younger brother was killed in January 2018.
“We had leads we shared with them. They didn’t act on it,” said Bowser. “This was frustrating to where you felt like you needed to do something because they wasn’t,” he added.
Eight families shared a split opinion in regards to the launch of the New Iberia Police Department. Dot and Joanne’s brother, Terry Delahoussaye, was killed in December of 2015.
They describe the city as ‘madness’ for the past 14 years without having a police department. “All that has happened in that time frame shows you, they are needed,” said Dot Delahoussaye.
Community members are hosting a “Stop the Violence Crusade,” Saturday, June 30 on Hopkins Street at 5 p.m.
The New Iberia Police Department launches Sunday, July 1.
New Iberia crime rates demonstrate an increase in the chances of becoming a victim of violent or property crime. Statistics show the chances of becoming a victim of property crime in New Iberia is 1 in 36. The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 498.
Neighborhood Scout is a website and online database of U.S. neighborhood analytics created in 2002 by geographer and demographics specialists. It categorizes cities from ‘safest’ to ‘dangerous’ places to live by region and country.
Crime activity by neighborhood can be found by the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office. A map is provided to help the public remain alert.
