Franklinton residents may not realize that tucked away behind locked fencing, beyond the
softball complex on Boat Ramp Road is the Franklinton Police Department’s shooting range. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says the first range was built on the site in the 1960’s, and in 2010, he spearheaded tearing down the old one and rebuilding it. However, in the past 16 years, natural erosion of the clay berm, weakened by thousands of rounds fired into it, and the need for up-to-date, innovative situational training scenarios has led the Fraternal Order of Police to begin improvements and renovations. Project leaders Lt. Jonathan Leche and Sgt Justin McFarland are excited about the potential of the range.
A structure was recently added that serves as a restroom facility and storage area along with a septic system. This was done with funds from the Causeway Police who paid three to four years of estimated future usage fees amounting to around $13,000. The Causeway Police does not have a range, and the Franklinton facility has been used exclusively by that department. The range is also used by Probation and Parole.
Washington St. Tammany Electric donated power poles that have been cut and placed at the base of the berm in order to shore it up and plans call for crushed asphalt added to make it even more substantial. There is also police unit and EMS lighting that can be used so that officers can train for situations when police and first responders are on a scene. The range also provides daytime and nighttime opportunities for officers to mimic real-life situations.
On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Mayor Darwin Sharp and Alderman Seth Descant were on hand at the range to accept a check from AmWaste for $4733.00 to continue improvements. Leche and McFarland are excited and enthusiastic about what these funds will purchase and are also pleased that tax-payer dollars are not being used for the project.
Plans include adding a wrecked police vehicle no longer in service to allow for a variety of situations as well as installing more police lighting along with stadium-style lighting that will help prepare officers for no or low light to mimic nighttime conditions. This is being modeled after Slidell’s Regional Training facility so it will be cutting-edge. Working with other agencies creates a unified vision for firearm usage and is especially important to helping officers appropriately respond to a “routine” call as well as in the case of a mass shooting event. Along with the berm being upgraded and additional lighting, a rubber mat will be installed in the shooting area to provide shooter stability, and devices will be acquired to secure targets.
Ultimately, the goal is to make the range more efficient and give police officers more involvement in the environment. Leche added that his hope is to bring in more agencies as some who have previously used the range and generated revenue for maintenance now have their own ranges available. He also stated, “Change is critical and AmWaste’s contribution has been phenomenal to help the department continue to grow and adapt in an ever-changing environment.”
Depending on weather conditions, Leche and McFarland hope to have projects completed by the end of May. While some concealed-carry instructors in the area may use the range for classes, it is closed to the public and is a law enforcement range only.
Lauren Anthony, District Manager for AmWaste, is happy to have a community project outlet. “We are
excited to be a part of something that is bigger than just providing garbage service. We are able to pour back into a community we not only serve but live in.”
It should be noted that the range is in an area near the Bogue Chitto River; however, it has only been inundated with water during major flood events such as 2016 when water reached far past the range towards Main Street. The configuration of the range and safety protocols in place ensure there is no impact to river traffic nor the recreational area nearby.
Alderman Seth Descant is excited about the possibilities. “I think this is a great project, and I love that we are developing an area for training where officers can practice and hone their skills instead of just writing a check and sending them off to other sites. I am also excited about other agencies coming here to train. There is so much potential.” Mayor Darwin Sharp spoke on behalf of the Town and the police department when he said, “We are very appreciative of this generous donation and town’s our partnership with AmWaste.”
On hand at the Franklinton Shooting Range are from left to right in the picture above - AmWaste employees Landry Richardson, Operations Manager; Laci Howes, Office Manager; Lauren Anthony, District Manager; and Mayor Darwin Sharp, Alderman Seth Descant, Lt. Jonathan Leche, and Sgt. Justin McFarland.
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