[StBernard] Sheriff's Race

[Westley Annis]

Laurie


         I understand your concern for this situation and it is duly noted.
I observed a patrol unit the other morning shooting radar in the eastbound
direction of Judge Perez in front of Chalmette High school just before
8:00am. I do not know the afternoon situation, but will certainly find out.
I can tell you this enforcement comes from the Traffic Division. To my
knowledge there are approximately five (5) Traffic Enforcement Officers left
after Hurricane Katrina. These officers are charged with the duties of
School Crossing, Traffic Accidents, Speed Limit Enforcement, Over size Load
Enforcement, Yes they are spread a little thin, but there is no excuse for
the officer you observed standing next to his unit not performing his
duties. The next time you see this, get the unit number he is driving and
the officer can be identified and reprimanded if necessary.  

 I'm not trying to pry, but if you list your neighborhood I'll get a message
to the right people about patrols. If not, you can call Major James Pholmann
or Col. Richard Baumy of the Field Operations Division and explain your
concerns to them as you did to me. I understand your concerns about
unfriendly looking persons in your neighborhood and suspicious people
looking at you when you go out in public. I'm not making excuses, but
currently the Correctional Facility in St. Bernard Parish only has one (1)
of four (4) wings operational. This wing is always at its capacity and then
some, conflicting with Federal Regulations regarding limits of space
pertaining to persons being detained, confined or housed in a Correctional
Facility. This facility is maintained by the Parish, not the Sheriff's Dept.
The Sheriff does employ persons to run the facility and is required by law
to have a specific amount of Corrections personnel per inmate. I'm sure your
aware of current Federal issues in Washington regarding Illegal Aliens and
what to do with them. You have a better chance winning the Lottery than
trying Deportation . While their presence in St. Bernard Parish is quite
evident ( Just look across the street from Home Depot) it is extremely hard
to rid the Parish of the Illegals with Criminal Intent, while acting under
color of law, trying to abide by Federal Regulations and having no place to
house them when they do violate the law. I can suggest one option while at
Home Depot, ask the Detailed Deputy to escort you to your vehicle. These are
trying times and unfortunately demand more from us. I'm not saying go
VIGILANTE, just be aware of your surroundings and if something looks out of
the ordinary call. If you get no response continue calling until you do.
Because ordinary these days takes on a whole new meaning. Just don't leave
anything to chance. The Sheriff's Dept. will respond, it is their duty and
obligation to serve and protect the citizens of St. Bernard Parish. Surely
you have to understand every call for assistance is as important as the
next. It's just not realistic to expect a 2 to 3 minute response time to a
Non-Life Threatening Crime that has already been committed requiring a
report to be written. However this is the current response time to a
potentially life threatening situation.  

 Prior to Katrina the Sheriff's Dept. did employ School Crossing Guards, I
don't know if there are any currently. Have you observed the officers
driving the Jeep Liberties. They are sometimes deployed in problem area's.
The Street Crimes Division is also on the street, they are the ones dressed
in all black. They primarily focus on Drug Trafficking in and out of St.
Bernard Parish by conducting hundreds of traffic stops and vehicle searches.
The arrest statistics are through the roof and require an incredible amount
of time consuming paper work logging evidence, report narratives, statements
and confessions. Not to mention the occasional arrested subject who wants to
give up his or her source, then you have to work the person as a
Confidential Informant, try to make narcotics purchases and identify other
users and traffickers. It goes on and on and on, it's a never ending cycle.
The Plain Clothes Divisions (Criminal Investigations Bureau, Narcotics and
Juvenile) are also on the street when their not conducting follow up
investigations. Just know that what appeared to be the obvious unmarked
Police Car prior to the Hurricane has again taken on a whole new look. Don't
look for your average Ford Crown Victoria, that Fleet was wiped out by the
storm and replaced with vehicles more suitable for the terrain left by the
Hurricane. Sure you see the Marked Ford Expeditions, but there are also
things you don't see. I hope this shed a little light on your concerns for
lack of visibility and response and I wish I could give you a definitive
answer. It is possible that the Sheriff himself is not receiving the
messages left for him and is unaware of the visibility and response
concerns. I'm sure he can address these concerns and offer viable solutions.


 Sheriff Stephens is concerned about the safety and recovery of this Parish
and is trying to utilize the resources and information available to him.
Please don't let the actions of one Deputy cast a shadow over the entire
Department. Obviously this is not the type of enforcement the Sheriff
intended and he cannot be aware of every Deputies actions during their tour
of duty. There is an Internal Affairs Dept. operated by a retired FBI Agent
of 30+ years who will certainly listen to your complaints and initiate an
investigation if the situation warrants one. Another option is to insist on
speaking with the Deputies Supervisor on duty. Don't be afraid to ask the
name of the person responding or the name of the Immediate Supervisor on
duty.  

 Don't be discouraged, things will get better. 

 

JDR