BALL RESIDENTS COMPLAIN OF DRUG DEALS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD

BALL - Town officials acknowledge there's an illegal drug trafficking
problem along Cardinal Lane off Springhill Road, but they promise help is
on the way.

Police Chief Spencer Williams assured residents attending a town council
meeting Tuesday that police are working on the problem.

"I know you've got a bad situation," he said after nine residents voiced
their complaints. One resident said the neighborhood is "like a drive-thru
drug shop."

Officers began 24-hour patrols on June 1, and plans are under way to set up
a Neighborhood Watch program, Williams said.

"I know you've got a bad situation," he said. "I'm trying to catch up on
some things we fell back on." Williams reported police handled 134 calls in
May.

Residents complained the drug dealing goes on in full view of small children.

"They are literally smoking crack in their back yard and smoking marijuana
in the front yard," one resident said.

Mayor Roy Hebron promised extra patrols in the area. "All I ask you is to
give us 60 days," he said.

Aldermen also heard complaints about trash and beer bottles left at one end
of the dead-end lane, plus reports that people buying illegal drugs often
drive off into the woods by mistake.

Hebron said dead-end street signs have been ordered.

Residents also wanted speed bumps installed but were told the city does not
have the funds to be held liable for repairs to vehicles damaged by speed
bumps.

In other city business, aldermen approved final adoption of an ordinance
setting up a pretrial intervention program, which goes into effect in 15
days. They named attorney Henry Lemoine as town magistrate.

Aldermen also gave final approval to two ordinances annexing a total of
about three acres.

This action enlarges town boundaries to include apartments located behind
Southern Heritage Bank on Janna Drive and the corner of U.S. Highway 165
and West Yeager, including the Red River Bank and a proposed strip shopping
center.

After meeting behind closed doors for 40 minutes, aldermen gave the mayor
and town attorney Brian Cespiva permission to spend money on research for a
boundary dispute between Grant and Rapides parishes. A trial in the case is
set for trial Oct. 2.

Aldermen approved surveying employees to see whether there was sufficient
interest in hearing a life insurance presentation by Charles Daniel
representing Modern Woodmen of America.

Also, aldermen accepted the 2001 town audit by CPA John Vercher that showed
no violations.