[StBernard] Credential plan proposed for Gulf of Mexico oil leak cleanup workers

[Westley Annis]

Credential plan proposed for Gulf of Mexico oil leak cleanup workers
By Times-Picayune Staff 
May 20, 2010, 5:00AM


Concerned that the ongoing cleanup efforts of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill
might bring scam artists or fugitives looking to make a quick buck to south
Louisiana, law enforcement representatives of several coastal parishes met
this week in Chalmette to discuss a method to credential workers, St.
Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack Stephens said. Stephens said the issue was also
scheduled to be discussed during Wednesday's meeting of the state Sheriff's
Association in Baton Rouge. Stephens noted that after Hurricane Katrina
there were problems involving recovery-related scams, as well as transients
with criminal backgrounds who descended on south Louisiana seeking work. Law
enforcement representatives from St. Tammany, Plaquemines, St. John the
Baptist, Lafourche, Orleans, Calcasieu and Cameron parishes attended the
Chalmette meeting. Representatives from the State Police and the Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries also attended. Stephens said the officials agreed
that a credential plan for workers would help cut down on potential
problems, as well as help regulate traffic at cleanup sites. Stephens said
the next step would be to get businesses involved, most notably BP, which is
responsible for the oil cleanup, to sign off on the proposal.