By FAITH FARLOUGH, Reserve

DEAR EDITOR: I am a lifelong resident of East 14th Street in Reserve, which is next to the Reserve Housing Development, a high-crime area. Statistics from the sheriff indicate that more than 40 percent of crime in St. John Parish comes from this development. On a daily basis, I feel compelled to call 9-1-1 and report violators, that is, gunshots. Lives and property are at an unacceptable high risk.

I ask that you print all or part of this letter, which commends and recognizes the following officers who, in my opinion, demonstrated commitment and professionalism in combating crime, thus improving the quality of life set forth in the sheriff’s mission statement: deputies Scott Maillet, Leonard Sanders, Quentin Nicholas, Thomas Young, and Sgt. Darryl Marchand.