Five booked at school in Ferriday
posted Thursday, April 19th, 2007 @ 11:08 am

Deputy Lee Ford's first day on the job as School Resource Officer for Ferriday schools was a busy one on Tuesday.

Ford arrested five at the Ferriday Alternative Center, including one 15-year-old.
Booked were Samuel Williams, 18, 108 Bayou Drive, Ferriday, and Iesha M. Mayberry, 18, 602 Wilson Alley, Ferriday. Each was charged with carrying a weapon (pocket knife) on school property.

Janie Sims and Jannette Sims, both 17, 308 Florida St., Ferriday, along with the 15-year-old, were charged with disturbing the peace by fighting. The 15-year-old was additionally charged with battery on a school official.

The School Board voted during its regular meeting Thursday night to hire a deputy as security at the Ferriday Alternative School through a contract with the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office. The deputy -- Ford -- will work the last six weeks of this school year.

Supt. Kerry Laster said Ferriday Mayor Gene Allen, Police Chief Richard Madison and others discussed the need for a school security officer. She said Sheriff Randy Maxwell has assisted in developing a plan to combat the discipline problems.

"There have been several serious incidents at the alternative school," said Laster. "Many times the Ferriday police have responded to calls there, but there have been times when they were tied up and could not respond."

Laster said that a plan was developed to call the Sheriff's Office if the Ferriday police couldn't come to the scene.

Presently, there are about 50 students at the alternative school. Many are there due to behavioral problems, while two other programs are offered at the site -- an options program and job training.

"When school started, there were about 25 to 30 students at the school total," said Laster. "But the number can grow and sometimes during the late school year, some students get spring fever and we have had up to 100 students there."

Board members agreed to hire the deputy through a contract with the Sheriff's Office.

The deputy has his own police car, and cell phone and will respond as needed to any school in Ferriday that needs assistance. The Sheriff's Office will provide the equipment. The cost for the service will be less than $4,000 for the six-week trial program.