By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — Residents in the Riverlands community have come together to help fight against crime in LaPlace.

Kyle Ellison, of LaPlace, has gathered many people in support of the Riverlands Family Civic Association.

“We are working with many people,” Ellison said. “We are trying to schedule a meeting in the next week at Belle Terre Country Club to get the community involved.”

Ellison said after the recent shooting of 26-year-old Donny Guarino, along with cars speeding and noise, he wants to try to put a stop to it.

“I have set signs with contact numbers up and down these streets and on Airline Highway, ” Ellison said. “I have been getting a lot of calls and support of this.”

Another resident and neighbor of Guarino, Bobby Lodrigues, hopes to get involved by participating in National Night Out Against Crime.

“I was Donny’s next door neighbor and friend,” Lodrigues said. “After what happened, I went and had a heart to heart with Sheriff Jones and asked what I could do to help this situation and he told me to participate in the Night Out Against Crime.”

Lodrigues said he saw Ellison’s sign and called him to find out what it was all about.

“I want to band-aid my community,” Lodrigues said. “Maybe even some stitches. Me and my wife are working on a flyer for Aug. 2 Night Out Against Crime. So far, we have talked to many neighbors and have had good responses. We hope to be able to block off Fairway to Willowdale, that way there is still away to get around.”

Lodrigues said he was going to title the party, “The Donny-Do Party,” because of the reference to Donny’s company Honey-Do and the National Slogan “What Would Jesus Do,” he said “What Would Donny Do?”

“I know that if Donny were here, he would want to participate in this,” Lodrigues said. “We are waiting for confirmation to be able to do this party. We hope for it to be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and there will be a DJ, games for kids and food donated from area businesses. We are also asking for everyone to donate $20 to help fund the event and money left over will go to Donny’s family and for preparation next year.”

Lodrigues said he hopes the Sheriff; Parish President and council members come out to support this as well.

“There will not be any Ferris-wheels,” Lodrigues said. “But it is for a good cause.”

Ellison said he could be contacted at 985-652-7162 for more information on the association.