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[SIZE=2]State Troopers in Jennings



State troopers specially assigned to help control crime in Jennings are drawing praise from some residents, and cries of harassment from others.
Escalating crime in Jennings is something we've been covering for months. In just a few weeks time, Jennings has experienced two murders, several shootings with victims as young as a 15 year old, and a bank robbery.
Not everyone is happy about how police are cracking down on crime. Violent crime dropped dramatically in Jennings the last few weeks, thanks to increased police presence brought by Louisiana State Troopers.
Neighborhood residents like Ella Boxie say they do feel safer, but also feel they are targeted and unfairly harassed by troopers, not familiar with the neighborhood.
"We get pulled over every day, Leave at night, red and blue lights behind us, soon as you leave" says Boxie.
You're not going to see state police in Jennings during the early afternoon, but residents and the city police chief says they show up at nightfall.
Mahogany Gordon says her boyfriend was questioned one night while just trying to get in his car.
"Open the door, got in car, went to close door, police put lights on him" says Gordon.
State police say the governor's office asked them to step in and help, after repeated calls from residents worried about crime. While admitting they're pro-active and looking for any violation, they say their intent is not to harass.
Sergeant Anderson has the backing of community elders, like those at Union Baptist Church. Anderson says three community meetings were held to inform citizens of what state police were doing. He says attendance at the meetings, was low.
State police did not give a timeline for how long they will remain in Jennings. They say they've made 18, mostly drug related arrests.
The two murders and bank robbery remain unsolved. If you can help, you're asked to call: 821-5513
Jason Newton
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