NEW ORLEANS — It’s been almost two weeks since 15-year-old Tyvien Jirouard was shot and killed at Evan’s Playground in Uptown.
“There’s no greater offense to god than the loss of a child,” said resident and meeting organizer Mordi Potash.
On Sunday night, dozens of residents met on Freret Street, all saying the same thing, something needs to be done.
Mordi Potash lives just steps away from Evans Playground and says illegal activity has become the norm at the once family-friendly spot.
“Illegal drug use, drug deals, I’ve also seen that activity occur in the background of legitimate sports happening,” Potash said.
His neighbor, Michelle Walpole agrees. As a mom with a teenager herself, she says she’d like to see better lighting and safety cameras installed at the playground.
“At this point, I’m afraid every time she walks out the door,” Walpole said about her 13-year-old daughter.
At the meeting, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick, told locals she hears them and has plans to take action.
“We’ve asked our officers in this district to have more presence whenever they can. Presence matters, community matters,” Kirkpatrick said.
Better lighting, crime cameras, and police presence won’t bring Tyvien Jirouard back, but Potash says a community coming together could prevent future loss of life.
“It commands us to respond to that, and it has to be a community response,” Potash said.
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