In a last second, surprise development, St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith and Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal both announced their opposition to the proposed casino in Slidell.
In a press conference quickly assembled on Tuesday, Chief Fandal and Sheriff Smith said they are worried about the crime the casino might bring. They are also urging council members who initially voted “yes” to move forward with the project to change their votes tonight to “no.”
Tonight the Parish Council will hold a key council vote to place the casino issue on a fall referendum for the people of St. Tammany to vote on. This opportunity was brought about after a long, successful battle in Baton Rouge by the local legislative delegation. The sheriff and the chief say they will be at tonight’s council meeting to argue against the referendum.
Smith says he is not opposed to gambling but does not want the casino in St. Tammany. Smith said the argument that the parish needs the revenue the casino will bring does not outweigh the crime, prostitution, and higher suicide rates that will come with it.
