Talks about safety and security on Port Arthur’s Pleasure Island were underway Wednesday as a local family prepared to bury a loved one who was shot and killed while fishing on the island Saturday.

Interim City Manager Harvey Robinson said there has been a brief discussion about additional safety and security on the island, such as increased police patrols and perhaps installing some type of camera system throughout the island.

“We want to do all we can to keep it (violence) at an absolute minimum. It’s important for people to feel safe and secure wherever they go in the city,” Robinson said.

Port Arthur City Councilman Cal Jones offered his condolences to the family of Khoa Dang “Kevin” Nguyen, saying his heart goes out to the family. The 18.5 miles of island falls in Jones’ district and he has been in on the talks for added security and safety measures.

Some of the talks have been with Ronnie Moon, a proponent of the island who has headed up trash pickups, an on-shore fishing tournament and worked closely with the Port Arthur City Council to keep the island safe and clean.

“Mr. Moon and I have been kicking around ideas and Mr. Moon gave me his opinion and I related that to the city manager and Lt. Jeremy Houston,” Jones said. “Mr. Moon and I did a ride-along on the island with an officer and looked at hot spots.”

Jones said he wants the island to be a place where residents can bring their family and have a good time.

Moon explained that some past safety protocols just did not work for the North Levee Road, which is a secluded area that is miles long with the Sabine Lake on one side and a revetment on the other. A gate was once used to close off the North Levee Road from dusk to dawn.

“It didn’t work. We had (Port Arthur Police department) locking it in the evenings and they had to drive the entire levee road to make sure no one was in there,” Moon said. “It lasted one week.

“My suggestion is to have it set up like they have it at McFaddin Wildlife Refuge, where the gate opens at a certain time automatically and closes at a certain time. On the left side of the gate is like a cattle guard with spikes where you cannot go in but you can go out.

“I hate that this individual (Nguyen), … this happened and it’s probably scared some people off. It’s not going to scare me,” he said. “I’ve been going out there for 43 years.”

Earlier this year the city put up signs on the North Levee Road that prohibit alcohol and glass containers.

“It wasn’t up for three weeks before someone shot it with a shotgun,” he said.

Nathan Nguyen, a close cousin of the deceased, said he wishes the road were more lit up.

“We don’t want people to fear going out there and having a good time. The city put it there for people to enjoy,” Nathan Nguyen said.

Kevin Nguyen, 33, was fishing on the North Levee Road on Pleasure Island on Saturday night when he was shot multiple times.

He drove about four miles from the scene, where he crashed into a guardrail, as he succumbed to his injuries.