NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The search continues for the Orleans Parish Jail escapees following what Sheriff Susan Hutson calls a security breach.
Hutson said the men were able to get out of the Orleans Justice Center because of “defective locks.” Hutson said she has continuously raised concerns about the locks to officials and, as recently as this week, advocated for money to fix the aged infrastructure.
The arrest of one of the reported escapees, Kendell Myles, in the French Quarter was witnessed by Dawn Uzee.
“It’s shocking, disturbing and we don’t feel safe,” said Uzee.
She says it all happened so quickly.
“Very frightening. But we had no idea that this was escaped inmates. It was FBI and NOPD, they had someone captured in front of the Monteleone, and it appeared as if the subject had jumped out of the automobile,” said Uzee.
High police presence was also steady in New Orleans East.
It’s where law enforcement captured Dkenan Dennis on Friday night.
Anthony Jackson says that with the area being so big, he has already begun telling people to lock their doors.
“As a New Orleans East resident, we have the largest population … [the escapee would say] I can hide in plain sight. I can go by a loved one, lay low and my chances of getting caught are very slim,” said Jackson.
He hopes that once all inmates are recaptured, Sheriff Susan Hutson will be able to upgrade the jail, pointing out the recently passed millage.
“The voters made their voices heard when they voted for the millage tax to pass. So, any resources, as we clearly saw with the security breach, are that we need help and resources to tighten up the jail,” said Jackson.
As the search continues, Crimestoppers has upped the cash reward for tips leading to the capture of the remaining inmates.
“We saw success from that. We have one apprehension because of your tips, and we’re just going to encourage you to see the team behind us. All information is being vetted federal, state governments. Again, with Crimestoppers, you’re going to be anonymous.”
The reward for information leading to the capture of inmates still at large has been increased to $5,000 from the ATF in addition to $2,000 from Crimestoppers and $5,000 from the FBI.
The escapees range from 19 years old to 42, and face a variety of charges including aggravated assault, domestic abuse battery and murder. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick warned that the fugitives are dangerous in a news conference on Friday night but also urged the public “not to panic.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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