AREA HAS DRUG PROBLEM, 'BUT WE'RE WORKING ON IT

Watch Group Trying To Improve Neighborhood

To Larry Ambush Sr., the battle against drugs in his neighborhood is
an effort to save children.

"In this neighborhood we have a lot of children, and if we don't do
something about the drugs that's in our neighborhood, our children
have no choice. They have no future."

Ambush is president of the Red River/Oil Mill Quarters Neighborhood
Watch. The area includes North 15th Street and Rapides Avenue to the
railroad track to Bolton Avenue, Enterprise Road and to La. Highway
1.

"We have a lot of people that's standing on the corners selling
drugs," Ambush admitted.

But he said that since the 10-member group formed a year ago, he's
seen a decrease in drug activity thanks to citizens "standing up and
making phone calls."

"We've had a decrease in that area," Ambush said, pointed toward Helen
Black Park near Reed Avenue School, "but you know it's still out here."

"One day, we're looking forward to having it gone altogether. It's
going to take time, but we're working on it," he said.

While his group is actively working to rid the neighborhood of drugs,
Ambush and some other residents are defending local NAACP President
Joe Buckner Sr., who was arrested early Sunday on drug and weapons
charges.

Buckner, 57, of 103 13th St. lives in that area.

Ambush, who also heads Red River/Oil Mill Quarters Community
Improvement Inc., said Buckner has done "a terrific job" as president
of the local NAACP.

"We feel, on that (arrest) issue, is that you're innocent until proven
guilty," he said.

"As far as the NAACP, he has done a wonderful job, great job. There's
no one else, I feel, who can fill those shoes like he has done,"
Ambush said.

Standing on her porch at 1535 Ashley Ave. with scraps of food for her
puppy, Christina Clark expressed concern for her five children as well
as her safety at night from drug activity in the neighborhood.

"I don't too much trust them in the park" because drug dealing and
gunfire take place some nights, she said.

As to Buckner's arrest, Clark, 32, said, "I don't know, they said they
found it in his house. Automatically, he's going to be charged with
it, and if he's (convicted), he don't need to be over the NAACP
because that's not a good role model for the kids, for the community,
for no one."

Clark added, "If he's dealing drugs, then, you know, it's bad, it's a
bad thing, because he's supposed to be trying to stop the drugs, help
stop drugs being sold in the neighborhood ..."

Bucker was charged Sunday with three counts of firearm possession by a
felon, one count of conspiring to produce/manufacture cocaine, two
counts of attempted manufacture of CDS II, one count of possession of
CDS I/other and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Buckner said the claims against him are false. "... I'm looking
forward to my day in court to prove that I am innocent of all charges."

Police said guns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were seized from
the Buckner residence Sunday.

Seated on the shaded front porch at 1543 Ashley Ave., Tommy Bennett
described the neighborhood as peaceful but added, "Drugs are all over
this world, man."

"There be a little bit of it now and then, you know, but as long as it
don't bother me, I ain't got no concerns with it, you know," he said.

Bennett, 56, said fighting at the park was a problem when he first
moved in five years ago but no longer occurs.

His wife, Judie Culbert, 51, stood at the torn screen door as she said
drug traffic has been "cleaned up."

She added, "It's all in front of the stores now." Bennett nodded and
agreed.

Mike Green, 27, of 1313 Shirland Ave. said he had no concerns about
illegal drugs in the neighborhood.

"We got us an entirely real good neighborhood. If we can keep the
police from out of here, then we'll be all right," Green said,
accusing police of harassment.

As far as Buckner's arrest, Green said he thinks the charges are
false.

"I know Mr. Joe Buckner personally, and I know Mr. Joe Buckner does
not sell drugs. They're just messing with that man, that's all they're
doing."

Standing with Green was Kevin Slaughter, 21, who said he lives at the
corner of 14th Street and Shirland Avenue.

Slaughter said he's not seen much drug activity in the area "since the
police been cracking down."

"As far as drugs and stuff like that going on, no, I don't see that,
but I see a lot of alcoholics, homeless people through here, stuff
like that, just hanging out and stuff at stores," he said.

Slaughter pointed out a woman in the street and said she is a
prostitute.

"Look at that white woman running down here," he said, adding that she
was out of place in the predominantly black neighborhood.

"What's she doing out here? I don't want to buy her," he
said.

Slaughter defended Buckner. "That's a nice man. I think they're just
trying to get the man 'cause they think the man got a little money or
something," he said.

Slaughter added he might need the police but doesn't care much for
them and claimed he's been the victim of verbal harassment during
traffic stops.

"They talk to you like you're kids, you know what I'm saying. I'm a
grown man. When they pull me over, I feel like I'm going back into the
kid stage," Slaughter said.

"As long as I've got my driver's license, my insurance and all this
type of stuff here, what's all the harassment for?"

State NAACP chief stands by Buckner

The state NAACP president is standing by the Alexandria chapter
president, who faces drug and weapons charges.

State President Ernest Johnson, in a radio interview with 88.1 FM on
Wednesday morning, offered prayers and support for the Rev. Joe Buckner.

Buckner, who is the local president and district vice president of the
NAACP, was arrested Sunday.

His wife, Tenesheila Buckner, was also arrested with him.

Buckner and his wife denied the charges in a press conference
Tuesday.

During a live phone interview with Tony Brown on the "Eyes Open"
program, Johnson referred to the presumption of innocence in America's
court system.

"At this point in time, as far as we're concerned, Brother Buckner is
innocent of whatever charges might be lodged against him," Johnson
said.

Johnson reminded listeners that Buckner "has been involved in quite a
few controversial issues in the city of Alexandria and the surrounding
area with police departments and DAs."

"So we know that whenever you stand up for what's right, you have to
be prepared for whatever comes at you because, you know, for every
action there is a reaction," Johnson said.

Johnson added he'd spoken with Buckner, who had personally denied the
charges, and is scheduled to meet with him further.

"The NAACP itself has an investigation going on with this situation to
make sure, and to ensure, that all civil rights for Brother Buckner
and others are not violated," Johnson said.

Johnson reminded listeners that 40 to 50 years ago the arrests of
NAACP presidents or members weren't unusual and that the organization
itself was outlawed in the state of Louisiana in 1960. He reiterated
that Buckner had been involved in "some very controversial issues."

"So, we just have to be very mindful in that situation as to what's
going on there," Johnson concluded.

Discussion then turned to a free USDA Rural Business Administration
seminar 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bolton Avenue Community
Center. Johnson, as head of the nonprofit Louisiana Community
Development Capital Fund Inc. of Baton Rouge, plans to conduct a
session there on starting a nonprofit organization.

Efforts by The Town Talk to reach Johnson were unsuccessful.

Staff writers Mandy M. Goodnight and Bill Sumrall contributed to this
story.