By Tiffany Flournoy
CULLEN, La. — The Town of Cullen’s police cruisers have remained largely grounded for about a week due to a lack of fuel, part of a broader pattern of administrative and financial breakdowns affecting municipal operations and public safety services.
Police Chief Fannie Rankin said Mayor Terry Hoof and the town clerk were notified about the urgent need for fuel for the town’s two police units. Rankin said alderwomen later contacted the town clerk regarding the issue, but no resolution followed.
Attempts to reach Hoof on Thursday included a call to his cellphone at 10:43 a.m. regarding the ongoing fuel issues affecting police vehicles. During the call, Hoof initially responded, “I’m not interested in it, Ms. Tiffany. I’m working right now.” While the call remained open, he could be heard briefly speaking to someone in the background. This reporter then asked whether he was working at town hall at the time. The call ended abruptly.
At 10:47 a.m., Hoof sent a text message reading “nocommentever.”
Additional calls to town hall between 11 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. rang multiple times and were answered without audible response before disconnecting after the greeting.
The fuel shortage has significantly limited patrol operations and response capability. Rankin said she has notified the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office as a safety precaution.
Rankin said the department has not had access to a fuel card for approximately one year due to nonpayment to the card provider, Smith’s South Central.
Fuel-related disruptions have occurred before, including in February when a police cruiser had to be towed after running out of fuel.
The ongoing issue of how fuel is funded and administered has again surfaced as the department continues operating without a fuel card system.
Rankin said she was notified Thursday, May 14, that the Mayor advised she should meet him and Town Clerk UnTracy Brittentine at Bonvenu Bank in Springhill the same day to obtain a card for the police fuel account.
A letter dated May 14, 2026, from Bonvenu Bank, RE: Town of Cullen debit cards, outlines responsibility tied to any debit cards issued on town accounts. The letter states that organizations issuing debit cards assume full responsibility for all transactions and must ensure cards are used strictly for legitimate business purposes. It further states that authorized signers are responsible for all transactions made using those cards.
Rankin has expressed concerns in prior council meetings about her personal information being tied to municipal financial accounts, including insurance and fuel arrangements, and potential personal liability in the event of default or unpaid obligations.
Earlier this month, police vehicles were also temporarily grounded following a lapse in insurance coverage due to nonpayment. Rankin said the coverage was later restored, though fuel access issues remain unresolved as of Thursday, May 14.
Records provided by Rankin following conversations with Progressive indicate the town’s vehicle insurance lapsed for six days before being reinstated May 8. The policy was scheduled to run from Nov. 2, 2025, through May 2, 2026.
It is not the first documented instance of insurance disruption. Some months ago, a town vehicle was reportedly towed from neighboring Springhill after being found without active coverage.