Ville Platte Housing Authority Director Announces New Cameras Under Construction

While some Ville Platte residents are outraged by the increase in gun violence, some housing authority employees said there is good news on the way.

Sheila Ben, director of the Ville Platte Housing Authority, said staff are making strides to help prevent violent crime in residential areas.

“We have signs all over the residential complex, which is nine different sites,” Ben told KATC. “The signs simply say, ‘Zero tolerance for violence and drugs… We’re trying to keep everyone as safe as possible.’”

Ben said she believes residents and employees have the right to work in a safe environment.

She also said that when tragedies happen in or around the community, everyone is affected.

“Everyone is terrified because they don’t know what’s going to happen, who’s going to get the next bullet, who’s being targeted,” Ben said.

Ben isn’t the only Ville Platte resident concerned about safety.

Jadarius Williams, 26, said he recently moved into the Parkview Village apartments with his family.

Williams told KATC he had only been renting for four months and was already looking for another place to live.

“There are too many shootings already,” Williams said. “We can’t lose another young life here!”

Ben said new, improved surveillance cameras are expected to be installed on-site at all Ville Platte public housing communities by October.