Berwick chief sends message to parents about juvenile incidents

Berwick police are handling lots of incidents involving juveniles during the Spring Fling carnival on the riverfront, including at least one that resulted in the arrest of an 11-year-old.
Police Chief David Leonard asked parents to help reduce that load.
“These events such as the Carnival are being put together to give our citizens an opportunity to bring their families out during this spring break holiday to have safe family fun,” Leonard said in a press release. “We will not tolerate the behavior of a few to ruin this.”
If you see any suspicious activity while enjoying the carnival or any other area of town, please call Berwick Police Department at 985-384-7710
Here’s the Berwick police report from Wednesday, with narratives provided by the Police Department:
—Juvenile female, 13, of Morgan City, was arrested at 8:24 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).
—Juvenile female, 11, of Morgan City, was arrested at 8:24 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).
—Juvenile female, 17, of Patterson, was arrested at 8:24 p.m. Monday on a charge of disturbing the peace (fighting).
At 8:09 p.m. Monday, officers were patrolling Oregon Street when they observed a very large crowd of juveniles in the street arguing. They were all warned to disperse from the area or they would be subject to arrest.
While they were dispersing, a fight broke out in the street and the three juveniles were identified as being involved in the fight. At the conclusion of the investigation, they were all placed under arrest and booked at the Berwick Police Department. The juveniles were released to their parents pending juvenile court proceedings. 
 --Juvenile male, 17, of Berwick was arrested at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday on a Berwick Police Department warrant for simple battery.
 At 9:20 p.m. Tuesday, officers observed a juvenile on Bellview Front Street who held warrants through the Berwick Police Department for simple battery. The warrant stems from a complaint of a fight that occurred March 13 in which the juvenile committed a battery on another juvenile.
He was unable to be located and a warrant for his arrest was prepared. The juvenile was placed under arrest and booked at the Berwick Police Department. He was released to a parent pending juvenile court proceedings. 
 —Juvenile, 17, of Baldwin was arrested at 10:23 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace.
—Juvenile, 14, of Morgan City was arrested at 10:23 p.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace.
At 10 p.m. Tuesday, officers were clearing out Bellview Front Street after the carnival ended. They encountered a very large group of unruly juveniles on First Street.
The juveniles, who were all unaccompanied by parents or guardians, were blocking the streets, shouting profanities, and at times were challenging the police officers.
Several residents exited their homes because of the disturbances being caused by the juveniles.
They were all warned numerous times to quit yelling profanities and to get out of the road while waiting for their rides to pick them up. Officers came into contact with two juveniles, who continued yelling profanities at the police officers, so they were placed under arrest. They were both booked at the Berwick Police Department and were both released to their parents pending juvenile court proceedings.