by Rebecca Ferguson

In the quiet streets of Lee and Renee drives in Thibodaux live a group
of people who really love holidays. On the nearly mile-long stretch of suburbia situated just off Talbot Drive, Thanksgiving and Christmas are both cause for decorations and celebration, but they really come out to show their spirit (or spirits) at Halloween.

In and around 1997, Lt. Chet Caillouet of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) was still a newcomer to the area when a neighbor
approached him with some concerns for the safety of the many trick or treaters which visited Lee and Renee drives on Halloween night. They were hopeful something could be done to keep the traffic away from the cluster of joyful celebrants and small children disguised in their Halloween best. Caillouet was a patrolman at the time with young children of his own,
so he understood the risks of so many people and cars mixed together.

“It wasn’t a very well lit area at the time,” Caillouet says. “It was kind of dangerous for kids walking with their parents. We were worried about the safety of the kids. That is why we decided to block off the street.”

Some of the women from the area made and distributed flyers notifying everyone of their intention to block the road on Halloween night. With widespread support of the local residents, Caillouet went to parish officials
requesting assistance. “We blocked off the main road and had officers at different points to make sure there was no vehicle traffic,” he says. “Everything went great that year.” He estimates over 500 trick or treaters came that Halloween and a new tradition was born.

Dana Clement, resident of Lee Drive, smiles and says each year gets better and better. “It looks like Mardi Gras—like a Halloween Mardi Gras.” And indeed, it sounds like it. People hire DJs and plan parties and decorate their houses. There is lots of food and drink. Residents of other neighborhoods come to sit with family and friends to distribute their candy and to enjoy the festivities.

Adults and children alike dress in costumes from silly to downright scary, and the costumes are getting more elaborate. “People come to dress up and scare the kids.” Clement remembers. “Last year my daughter was a junior but her and her friends all still dressed up for Halloween. There aren’t too many kids at that age that still dress up but it is a really fun time for everybody.”

Clement describes the little girl who dressed as Esmeralda from the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” complete with a live pet goat. She goes on to explain how every year there is a mysterious fellow who dresses very creepily and chases people around with his chainless chainsaw. Everyone enjoys the scare but no one knows who he is.

Capt. Roy Gros, of LPSO, took over the coordination of the event a few years ago and explained how it has grown in size and popularity with amazingly few problems. “There were a couple of outside sources that wanted to ruin Halloween for the people who live on Lee and Renee drives, but we said it is your neighborhood. If you are going to take the initiative, we are going to support you in that. The sheriff is committed to supporting what the residents want.”

The neighborhood formed a committee and met with the LPSO to develop some sophisticated ways of protecting the trick or treaters: The police set up a mobile command in the middle of the action, while officers are stationed at areas to block the street and many patrol the festivities on foot, on bicycle and four wheeler. Residents use their own radios to
communicate with each other and the police in attendance. The St. John’s Volunteer Fire Department provides assistance whenever needed. The presence of the support services is easily felt and any minor issues are easily resolved.

Having as many safety issues addressed as possible allows the people to focus on the main purpose—fun for everyone. Clement explains, “Everyone works so much but this is where everybody comes out and catches up with their neighbors and friends. Some people we haven’t seen all year. We don’t have to call to invite them. They know they are welcome at our house.”

The sense of community is obvious as the residents encourage everyone from all neighborhoods to come out to participate. “It is such a positive. Seeing all the kids in their costumes. That is what it is all about. It is for the kids,” says Clement. Gros adds, “If I was looking for a place to send my kids trick or treating, I’d want to go where the police are, where it is safe. This is it.”

The official time of trick or treating is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Halloween night in the 1100 through 1440 blocks. Bring a big bag. PoV