State legislators discuss next steps after Explo Systems controversy
By: Jacque Jovic
Updated: December 6, 2012
In the wake of the discovery of six million pounds of illegally stored explosive materials at Explo Systems, Inc. on Camp Minden, local residents have lots of questions. Many of them wonder how this much material could have accumulated without authorities noticing.
"I just wish they would really get to watching what is going on and know what's going on, because this is dangerous," said Faye Gordon who lives in Minden.
State Representative Gene Reynolds (D-District 10) represents Webster Parish and says right now companies like Explo Systems, Inc. are largely self-regulated, with state government having limited oversight.
"I think that's a legitimate question, 'should we extend the powers of the state police or the sheriff's office to go in there and make spot checks especially with some thing that's as dangerous as that?'," said Representative Reynolds.
Reynolds and other state legislators have been working together with law enforcement to figure out what went wrong and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. He says they key is handling those who break the rules while not punishing the companies which are complying and contributing to the local economy.
"When it's all said and done, we will have a better policy as far as those companies out there and maybe even attract some more business in here which is what we really want to do," said Reynolds. "Right now everybody needs to just make sure we're safe... have a great Christmas and then we can get down to work and see what we need to do."
Mr. Reynolds and the other legislators will meet regularly and decide what policy, procedures or legislation need to be introduced in the next legislative session which starts April 2013.
