- Maurice residents frustrated with lack of change with recurring yard flooding
- Flash floods in Acadia Parish force residents to evacuate due to heavy rain
- Man killed in St. Martin Parish crash with impaired driver
- Man gets 20 years for 2022 manslaughter shooting in Jennings
- 16th Judicial District Attorney's office to crack down on gun crimes
16th Judicial District Attorney's office to crack down on gun crimes
NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- As new Interim 16th Judicial District Attorney, one of the biggest things Morris Michael Haik III is focusing on is cracking down on gun violence in communities.
"We have to find a way to safe in our communities, safe in our streets," said Haik. "I'm sick and tired of not being able to go to a parade without being worried about being shot."
Haik has been meeting with sheriff and police agencies across the district, informing them they will begin coming down harder on gun violence and gun crimes. He said there will be a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to maintaining the safety of communities.
"They're going to either plead guilty as charged, open ended and let the judge sentence them, he said. "They're going to take their 15-year plea that we offer them or we're going to try them. We're not soft on that anymore. The homicides, the shootings, they got to end. I'm sick and tired of it being quite honest with you. That and those that are illegally carrying weapons while carrying drugs, they're going to go to jail to."
Having recently been given the position of interim DA, Haik's focus is on community safety, which starts with tackling the gun issues.
"I can't be any more any more focused and sincere that those individuals that are illegally carrying guns, they will be prosecuted to the fullest. And my goal is to get them out of all of our communities."