Parish: ATV riders break through pump station gates

Parish officials are asking residents in New Sarpy and Destrehan to be watchful of ATV riders in the area of the Schexnaydre and New Sarpy pumping stations after three recent incidences of vandalism.

Schexnaydre pump station is located just to the north of Ethel Schoeffner Elementary School, 140 Plantation Road in Destrehan, with New Sarpy pump station located to the west of East Harding Street in New Sarpy.

Workers recently discovered missing panels in a chain link gate blocking access to both the station and adjacent levee near Schexnaydre station. At New Sarpy, vandals broke locks on the gates surrounding the station. Both actions were done to apparently gain access for ATV vehicles, believed to be a motorbike and four-wheeler. The event is the third such incident at the site within in the last two weeks.

St. Charles Parish Risk Manager Monique Granier said that while the monetary value of the damage is minimal, the true cost comes in the erosion of the levee surrounding the schools and adjacent neighborhoods.

“Each time these people joy ride over the levee, it is being eroded to a lower elevation,” she said. “The condition of this levee is critical to the protection of homes in the area, and any repairs will take tax dollars away from other much-needed projects and maintenance.”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has been contacted about the incident and will closely patrol the area.