The uptick in crime, especially violent crime, has not gone unnoticed by police in Port Arthur.

So far this year there have been seven homicides — four of which occurred in a two-day span in January. In addition there have been numerous shootings, as well as a homicide, at Avery Trace Apartments on FM 365, leading apartment management to recently employ off-duty Port Arthur officers for security.

Department leaders are also aware of criticism aimed at them for not doing more to keep the streets safe.

“We want to stop the violence and the best way is to come together,” Port Arthur Police Chief Patrick Melvin said. “We’ve formed a special unit to address the issues. It’s not only the department. We’ve teamed up with our federal partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will help with prosecution; the FBI, we have a person on the task force; Drug Enforcement Agency and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (and Explosives).”

The new tool to help in the battle against crime is the Violent Crimes Task Force.

And while the new task force incorporates the police department and its partners, there is an integral piece missing and that, police say, is the community.

No one wants to talk about it

“Witnesses are a huge part,” Sgt. Scott Argo said. “But people see something happen and not talk. We need to get witnesses to come forward. Most crimes are solved through witnesses.”

Therein lies the problem.

Sometimes it’s the victims who don’t want to talk to police or press charges. Det. Mike Hebert told of an incident that happened on Jan. 25 at 25^th Street and Memorial Boulevard where two groups of contractors “had a massive shoot out” over a door.

“We know who did it but no one wants to file charges,” Hebert said.

Argo explained that the public is critical to crime solving.

“The (public) is in an uproar but they are not doing anything to help us solve the crimes. They are furious the crimes are not solved,” Argo said.

Turning a blind eye to crime and violent incidents continues in the city. During the past week a teen was grazed by a bullet at Avery Trace Apartments. Police learned the incident was self-inflicted and accidental but both the victim and his mother walked away from police and refused to talk to them, Col. Frank Ramirez said.

Crimes solved

The public has read the statistic over and over — seven homicides in three months in Port Arthur. What they may not realize is that five people are in custody for the seven homicides and one was “no billed,” meaning formal charges will not be filed as it was deemed self-defense.

Just last week there was a daytime carjacking that could have ended up deadly. A woman went to J&J’s Seafood, 1600 Bluebonnet Ave., and as she was coming out with her food two juveniles approached, one carrying a shotgun. She handed over her keys and the teens left. At one point they went live on social media from inside the stolen car, dancing and laughing.

The teens were involved in a chase the next day, then bailed out of the car and took off running. An officer pursued and they were captured in the Stonegate area of Port Arthur.

Melvin said one of the teens was carrying the shotgun reportedly used in the carjacking when officers approached.

“We used massive restraint to avoid a catastrophic event,” Melvin said. “Had the detective fired, it would have been justified.”

The teens, aged 15, were arrested and sent to the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Detention Center.

In addition, three men are in custody for the aggravated robbery and shooting of two men at Arthur Square Apartments, 1548 Main Ave., on March 18.

The suspects are identified as Jovan Neveaux, 18; Marquell Lee, 17; and Sadante Provost, 18. Bond is set at $100,000 for each of the men.

Police say Walter Jones, 20, who was recently arrested for the murder of Joseph Boudreaux at Avery Trace Apartments, is connected to other aggravated incidents in the city.

Task Force on duty

The Violent Crimes Task Force is already on duty. A gun, stolen in Orange, was taken off the streets Thursday and task force members have identified 15 to 20 people who are committing multiple crimes. When those particular criminals are locked away, it will take solve multiple crimes, Ramirez said.

The decision by management of Avery Trace to employ off-duty PAPD officers was lauded by the department.

Previously there were on-site officers but those were on a sort of “will call” type arrangement where any officer in the state of Texas could come to the complex three-to-five day stints.

“But they don’t know the area or the people,” Ramirez said. “They could be talking to a criminal or the preacher’s son, they just don’t know.”

Being an out-of-town officer meant they could arrest a person for a crime but had to call for PAPD to transport the suspect to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

Even with the new task force and its additional members and its ability to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, there is still a need for community support.

“With the information we have, our officers have done an excellent job,” Melvin said. “The new unit will definitely assist us but we still need the community to help us.”

For those wishing to remain anonymous there is always Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas at 833-TIPS. Hebert explained that witness information helped solve the murder at Avery Trace as well as another crime there- one of which came through Crime Stoppers.

A march to fight back against crime and ‘take out city back’ was scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lamar State College Port Arthur, down Procter Street to the pavilion.