Sheriff's Operation Blockbuster targets violence
Staff Report
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office on Friday conducted Operation Blockbuster, a multiagency operation targeting violence in St. Mary Parish, Sheriff Blaise Smith said.
Deputies, investigators or the Narcotics Section made 23 arrests Friday alone.
They included seven arrests on charges of battery or disturbing the peace by fighting and two on weapons charges. One of the battery charges resulted from a domestic disturbance.
Morgan City police made two arrests on fighting charges at midday Friday.
Smith thanked the Franklin, Berwick, Morgan City, Patterson, Chitimacha and Baldwin police departments for participating.
Officials have been alarmed by a series of shootings in Franklin and Baldwin, including the death of Rock Jones, 65, and the wounding of her son when shots were fired into their Franklin home in June.
Franklin officials staged a June 30 vigil and asked people to cooperate with police as they investigate acts of violence.
“We’ve been doing all we can possibly do, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department and other entities, federal officials as well,” Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard said. “We demand justice. We will not stop until we find out who did that evil deed.
“This is a classic battle of good versus evil. … My prayers for this city is that we put these guns down.”
“I stand and ask for your help to give Rock Jones,” Police Chief Morris Beverly said.
“Reach out in your heart and please help our Police Department bring the people that did this to jail.
“Rock was a real person deserving more than what she got.”