Baldwin aldermen discuss gunshots heard during nights

Former Baldwin Police Officer Anthony Gibson addressed the Baldwin Board of Aldermen Thursday concerning a rash of gunshots heard throughout the town at night.
He said he had contacted Baldwin Police Chief Harry Smith to report hearing the shots, but was told by Smith that he had heard nothing about it.
Gibson proposed moving a part-time officer, who is on shift during the day, to a night-time shift, to combat the problem.
“I’m pissed,” Gibson said, “because it could have been me or one of my babies who got shot. It could have been one of you.
“I’m thinking about the citizens of Baldwin. I’m thinking about everybody, my family, your family, these kids.
“I don’t know the answer. Maybe you know the answer.”
Alderman Clarence Vappie stated that the gunshots had not been localized, that he had heard them “all around town.”
“They (the shooters) rode through town shooting, and then left,” Vappie said.
Once his two minutes to address the board were up, Gibson was gaveled to his seat by Mayor Pro Tempore Herbert Bell.
Following Gibson, Baldwin Assistant Police Chief Samuel Wise addressed the board to clarify Baldwin PD’s position on the matter.
“I try to get two people out at night as often as I can,” Wise said, “but my part-timers have full-time jobs, so it’s hard to keep them from Monday through Thursday, (for the night shifts). But, they do try to come out on Fridays and Saturdays.”
“I understand the complaint, it’s my complaint too. But until we (BPD) get some more money, I can’t do anything.
“I’m sorry there are gunshots all over the town. I don’t know who is doing it. I wish we knew who was doing it.”
Wise went on to say that when he checked the logbook for any complaints of shots fired Wednesday night, he found no record.
Vappie said the shots he had heard had been “a week and a half ago.” And Gibson added that the shots he had heard had been those of Wednesday night.
Alderwoman Margaret Coleman said, “This is something we (the board) need to come together and be more concerned about.
“They (BPD) are out there writing tickets. I see the money is coming in. So, it is time for us to get back to the table and see what we can do because we lost a full-time officer, so we have to see about replacing her. And we are not going to get them here for $9/hr.”
The matter was left there to rest.
In other news it was announced that the town’s new water meters have arrived and began installation on Monday, with those efforts expected to last two weeks.
Also, “thanks” was offered to Morgan City for their donation of refurbished gas meters for use by the town of Baldwin.
In following up on a proposed ordinance to change the speed limit on La. 182 at La. 83 and westbound toward West St. Mary High School, the state will reportedly conduct a traffic study this summer to analyze the conditions on those roads and whether they warrant a speed limit change, or not.
Finally, the town’s open container ordinance will be suspended for the Mardi Gras parade from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A letter of resignation was accepted from Officer Kim Gibson, as of Jan. 31.
A final payment request was approved to Southern Contractors, marking the completion of the town’s water tower project.
And a cost estimate from the parish concerning the proposed resurfacing of streets in Baldwin was said to be $220,000. The specificity of the streets in consideration and their priority amongst each other is still under discussion.