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Sheriff Blaise Smith Takes Office
The year 2018 has been an election year that featured 5 total candidates running for the office of Sheriff. The election in November trimmed the field down to two candidates, and the run-off on December 8, 2018, was won by Blaise Smith.
On Tuesday, December 18, Blaise Smith was sworn in as St. Mary Parish Sheriff.
The room on the 4th floor of the Courthouse was packed with people and the excitement was evidenced by smiles on the faces of those in attendance. I watched as news media representatives set up cameras and microphones while friends, family, and employees of the Sheriff’s Office waited with anticipation of what the new Sheriff would say as he took the podium and addressed the public for the first time as Sheriff.
Having followed the election closely, there were no surprises. Sheriff Smith spoke of the same themes that ran throughout his campaign; God, the citizens of St. Mary Parish, the mission of the Sheriff’s Office, and working together to make a difference in St. Mary Parish.
As the Public Information Officer watching my first election in the Sheriff’s Office from the inside, I must say that I see one theme emerging from this whole process. It is a theme that I believe seems to be present in other elections at the local, state, and national level when a change in office is the result.
The theme of new beginnings.
Americans generally celebrate elections. We value the opportunity to live in a country where we have the right to be involved in the process of electing our governing officials by voting. Candidates lay out their platforms and appeal to the people for the ability to be able to serve in public office. It can be an arduous process that is stressful, to say the least. But the power of the vote is the final say in the matter, and when the people have spoken, we go forward.
The elected official begins the process of transitioning their platform from ideas to plans. For the citizens, it is time to anticipate new beginnings. It behooves the citizens to be supportive. After all, for elected officials to succeed is to the benefit of all.
This is where we, the citizens of St. Mary Parish, find ourselves now. With a new sheriff, new hope, and anticipation of a new beginning that will result in the fruit of success.
Sheriff Blaise Smith spoke to this process at his ceremony when he said “Whether you voted for me or not, the door is open to you. Even if you didn’t vote for me, I’m still your Sheriff. I appreciate you exercising your right to vote, but I will treat you as if you voted for me.”
I believe these words of encouragement from our new sheriff help to lay out the first part of his plan for St. Mary Parish. These words encourage unity which is of paramount importance to any group of people attempting to accomplish big things in life. The words of positivity and encouragement were sweet to my ears as I watched this important ceremony play out in front of me yesterday.
New beginnings.
Maybe even better is the fact that we all as citizens of St. Mary Parish get to play a role in the plans. Together we can work to make our parish better. Together we can support each other as we take our first steps forward from this point.
As for me, I’m looking forward to seeing what the coming weeks and months have for us in St. Mary Parish.
Contact Information:
David Spencer
Public Information Officer
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
pio@stmaryso.com
MADD Commemorate 20 Years in St. Mary Parish at Top Cop Ceremony
For the 20th year, the St. Mary Parish chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored law enforcement officers for their work in keeping the roads and highways of St. Mary Parish safe.
MADD St. Mary Chapter Board Members
MADD board member Jacki Ackel said the group found their direction those 2 decades ago with the help of leaders from within the criminal justice system. St. Mary MADD created a Victim Impact Panel, a program to help drunk and drugged driving offenders recognize and internalize the lasting and long-term effects of substance-impaired driving.
Guest speaker, former St. Mary Parish Sheriff David Naquin, spoke about the impact MADD has had on St. Mary Parish over the years. He recounted the story of the boy saving stranded starfish by throwing them one by one back into the ocean. When the boy was told there was no way he could save them all he replies, “It made a difference for that one.”
Guest Speaker, Former St. Mary Parish Sheriff David Naquin
Since its inception in St. Mary Parish, MADD has tracked drunk and drugged driving arrests. St. Mary Parish law enforcement agencies have made a total of 4,568 DWI arrests in those 20 years. 187 of those were made over the last year. That number is up by 25 from the previous year.
Helping to make a difference for the parish from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office are Lieutenant Mathew Moore and Sgt Dustin Kennedy who were presented with the TOP COP award for the Sheriff’s Office. Over the last year, Moore and Kennedy each made 6 arrests on the charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Overall, Sheriff’s Office deputies took a total of 56 suspected drunk drivers off the road. 50 were 1st offenses and 6 were arrested for 2nd offense drunk driving.
Board Member Scott Berry presents Lieutenant Mathew Moore with the Top Cop Award
Board Member Scott Berry presents Sergeant Dustin Kennedy with the Top Cop Award
Chief Deputy Scott Anslum, Parish President David Hannagriff, and Major John Kahl, Jr. join Lt Moore and Sgt Kennedy
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Scott Anslum was also recognized for his leadership contributions and support of deputies in their work to keep impaired drivers off the roads.
Chief Deputy Scott Anslum
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office joined Louisiana State Police, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, and Franklin Police Departments at the Lamp Post in Franklin for the MADD Top Cop ceremony held Thursday evening, November 30, 2017.
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
The K-9 Life (At Home)
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Above, Detective Chris Crappell (with coffee) and K-9 Buddy at a morning briefing in the squad room. Below, K-9 Buddy patiently plays dress up with his partner's daughters. |
Becoming a K-9 handler is a lifestyle change that affects more than just the deputy taking on the responsibility of a police dog. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 handler Detective Chris Crappell explains.
My 6-year-old daughter, who is a big help and had learned to speak Dutch like Buddy, says, “It's good to live with Buddy because if a bad guy comes in, he will bite him. Buddy eats dog food and only at night because he doesn't eat at daytime. Buddy got a new leash. “At bath time, we bathe Buddy outside because he will get the whole place all hairy. Buddy has fun at the camp. He rides in a cage when we go to vacation. When we went to dig for diamonds (in Arkansas). Buddy watched over everybody for bad guys. He's like a 5-year-old and that's like me but I'm 6. When you throw Buddy's toy you have to say aport and not fetch because he's trained in Dutch.” “He's a good protector but he's mostly fun. When he goes outside he plays with us.”
My 11-year-old daughter says, “Whenever we first got buddy, you couldn't play with him because he's still getting used to you. He is our family but we still have to be careful because he is a cop dog. He's like a brother. He protects every good person. I think if more cops have dogs it could be
easier to find more drugs and stop more bad guys. He gets excited when we let him out. He's the best dog ever."
My 2-year-old daughter says, “I like to hug him".
I hope you enjoyed a look into our life with Buddy. In closing, I'd like to thank everyone for the care and support you give me and Buddy as we work to fight crime.
- Detective Chris Crappell
Take Notice, Being Observant in a Busy World
These are some basic first steps in becoming more observant and attuned to your surroundings. The ability to recognize danger can help keep you and your family safe.
Contact Information:
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
www.stmaryso.com
Sheriff Recognizes Deputy of the 1st Quarter
Sheriff Mark Hebert announces the Deputy of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2017. Uniformed Patrol Section Lieutenant Mathew Moore accepted the award from Sheriff Hebert at St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Franklin earlier this month. Sheriff’s deputies are occasionally called to act in a manner beyond routine expectations. The Deputy of the Quarter Award is presented to an employee of the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office who exemplifies that standard. Sheriff Hebert recognizes Lt Moore for his outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty. During a traffic stop, Lt Moore went to great lengths to assist a fatigued driver and a passenger in getting home safely. He has also gone above & beyond in recognizing by-standers for the assistance they gave to law enforcement during a criminal investigation. Sheriff Hebert commends Moore for these outstanding acts and for the professionalism and courtesy he demonstrates daily in his interactions with the citizens of St. Mary Parish. Sheriff Hebert and Chief Deputy Scott Anslum presented Lt Moore with the award certificate and a challenge coin.
From left to right are Chief Deputy Scott Anslum, Lt Mathew Moore, and Sheriff Mark Hebert.
Contact Information:
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
www.stmaryso.com
St. Mary Law Enforcement Officers Take On Teaching Role at School Safety Summit
On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, law enforcement agencies from across the parish met with school administrators at the St. Mary Schools Safety Summit. The annual gathering features guest speakers who focus on topics such as school climate, culture, safety, and security.
Partnered with law enforcement officers from various agencies, attendees broke out into groups to examine their action plans to respond to an active shooter event. The groups were presented with scenarios that had no right or wrong answers. The mental exercise helped participants understand what they would and could do during an active shooter event.
Sheriff Mark Hebert says, “I thank the superintendent, school board, principals and administrators for their willingness to take proactive steps like these training exercises to help ensure the safety of our children.”
Among the participating agencies pictured are the Morgan City Police Department, Franklin Police Department, Berwick Police Department, the St. Mary Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.
Contact Information:
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
www.stmaryso.com
Sheriff’s Scholarship Goes to Morgan City High School Student
The Louisiana Sheriffs' Association Honorary Membership Program awards $500 in scholarships in each of the state's 64 parishes. This effort is a meaningful expression of the Program's confidence in, and respect for, education and training. The goal of the Program is to provide assistance to worthy Louisiana students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association’s Honorary Membership Program. St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert along with the Sheriffs of Louisiana consider this scholarship program an investment in the future.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office received some outstanding applications for the Sheriff's Scholarship. The 2017 St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Scholarship goes to Morgan City High School student Caylee Deshotel. The scholarship certificate was presented at Morgan City High School’s award ceremony held Wednesday evening. Deshotel will attend Louisiana State University this fall. Her major field of study is Kinesiology Pre-Medicine. Deshotel plans to become a general surgeon.
Chief Deputy Scott Anslum and Scholarship Award Recipient Caylee Deshotel
Contact Information:
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
www.stmaryso.com
WILDLIFE WATCH 2017
No matter where you are in St. Mary, you’re never too far away from nature. When it comes to our culture and lifestyle, we take pride in that fact. But, when nature presents itself by way of alligators and snakes in our school yards, shopping center parking lots, and homes it can be unnerving. Considering recent news reports and community talk about incidents involving wildlife, we thought we’d share what we’re seeing in the areas patrolled by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
March and April are typically peak months for alligator complaints. Last year from January to this time in April deputies had responded to 9 reports of alligators sighted in areas where they were not supposed to be. But so far this year, among the 106 total animal related complaints, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has responded to 3 reports of alligators. 2 of the animals were removed and returned to their habitat by patrol deputies. Another, spotted in a yard, was estimated to be around 12 feet. Wildlife and Fisheries was contacted. Although alligator complaints are down, what we have noted are 6 complaints of snakes in residences and yards across the parish. In most of the incidents, the snake was removed by patrol deputies and returned to the wild.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Shooting Range, Centerville, LA 4/28/17
Understanding snake behavior is the first step in keeping the unwelcomed guests out of your home. The frequently asked questions below are from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries web page, which is linked here. The LDWF website also lists the different types of snakes found in Louisiana. Of course, we caution residents from approaching wildlife and kids should be taught the potential dangers of encountering wild animals.
Is there any way to keep snakes out of a house or yard? The best method of reducing or eliminating snake numbers around yards is to remove cover: mow grass and vegetation, and remove trash, lumber and brick piles. Most snakes that enter houses are of non-venomous varieties: rat snakes, brown snakes, etc. Entrance seems most often to be gained through open doors or holes leading from the foundation or crawlspace. Holes cut in washrooms and beneath sinks for pipes are often big enough to allow entry by snakes. Rat snakes are excellent climbers and can get into attics and chimneys. Eliminating access points for snakes is the best prevention. Snake-proofing yards would be difficult and expensive. Snakes can burrow and climb, so that fencing would need to be sunk 1-2 feet into the ground, and be tall and slick enough to prevent snakes from climbing. Fortunately, Louisiana's venomous snakes rarely climb. See also the section on Control of Snakes.
How do I keep snakes out of my house? Most snakes that enter houses are of non-venomous varieties: rat snakes, brown snakes, etc. Entrance seems most often to be gained through open doors or holes leading from the foundation or crawlspace. Holes cut in washrooms and beneath sinks for pipes are often big enough to allow entry by snakes. Rat snakes are excellent climbers and can get into attics and chimneys, as well as into walls via gaps in exterior siding. Small snakes are sometimes brought indoors by pets. Eliminating access points for snakes is the best prevention.
How do I remove a snake that is in my house or car? Snakes are experts at hiding themselves, and once inside of a home can be nearly impossible to locate. They will tend to remain concealed during the day, or when there is activity in the house. They may leave cover only when the lights are out and human activity stops for the night. At that point, they may be discovered in the open by quickly going through the house and turning on lights. Snakes that are seen to crawl into the underside of a vehicle are usually excluded from entering the passenger compartment. Snakes can usually be driven out from the undercarriage of a vehicle by parking it in direct sunlight for several hours.
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
Sheriffs’ Scholarship Available to St. Mary Parish Students
As a member of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA), Sheriff Mark Hebert offers the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program to students in St. Mary Parish. The LSA scholarship aids worthy Louisiana students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Louisiana Sheriffs' Honorary Membership Program.
One scholarship in the amount of $500 will be awarded to a graduating high school student from St. Mary Parish. There are no restrictions on the purposes for which the scholarship is spent. The scholarship is not a loan and is awarded as a gift to defray the costs of tuition and related expenses for higher education. The only limitations are that applicants be permanent residents of Louisiana; that the scholarship be utilized in higher education within the state of Louisiana; and that the student be enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate student.
Applicants must be eligible for admission to the school indicated on the application. The award will only be paid for attendance at institutions of higher learning within the state. The scholarship winner will be announced by May 1, 2017. Completed applications must be submitted to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office by April 1, 2017.
Applications may be obtained from either of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Offices, on the 4th floor of the parish courthouse at 500 Main Street in Franklin or 1455 Railroad Avenue in Morgan City. Applications may also be printed online by going to www.lsa.org. Completed applications should be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office or mailed to P.O. Box 571 Franklin, LA 70538. For more information regarding the Sheriff's Scholarship Program, contact Public Information Officer Traci Landry at 985-354-0714 or pio@stmaryso.com.
Contact Information:
Traci Landry
Detective Lieutenant
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
985-354-0714
pio@stmaryso.com
www.stmaryso.com
Our Top Cops
The St. Mary Parish chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving recently honored law enforcement officers for their work in keeping the roads and highways of St. Mary Parish safe. Sgt Taurean Smith and Deputy Aprylle Bobbitt were presented with the TOP COP award for the Sheriff’s Office. Over the last year, Smith made 9 arrests on the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Dty Bobbitt made 5 arrests. Overall, Sheriff’s Office deputies took a total of 46 suspected drunk drivers off the road. 41 were 1st offenses, 4 were arrested for 2nd offenses, and 1 was arrested for 3rd offense drunk driving. Through law enforcement efforts and the work of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, convicted offenders are shown the long term effects of impaired driving with the goal of changing their behavior and preventing future offenses. Sheriff Mark Hebert says, “These arrests represent lives saved. I commend Sgt Smith and Dty Bobbitt for their outstanding effort to keep our roadways safe.” The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office joined Louisiana State Police, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department, Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, Franklin, and Baldwin Police Departments at the Berwick Civic Center for the ceremony held Monday evening, December 5, 2016.
Below from left to right are Parish President David Hannagriff, Captain Sennet Wiggins, Sergeant Taurean Smith, Deputy Aprylle Bobbitt, Detective Whytley Jones, and Chief Deputy Scott Anslum
The K-9 Life
“We need a K-9.” I can’t remember who blurted it out, but everyone agreed. And if there was another way to keep drugs out of our kids’ hands, I was all in.
With that one discussion, my life changed.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has not had a K-9 program for many years. But, Sheriff Mark Hebert knew the value in getting one. The Sheriff’s Office applied for and was awarded a grant that would fund a new K-9 team. I remember the day the letter for the spot came out. I’ve always wanted to do more. I got on the computer and began to research what it took to be a K-9 handler. I needed to know what it would take to be an extraordinary K-9 handler.
The research blew my mind. I knew it would be hard work. I wasn’t worried about that. But it would also take support from the department and from my family. I learned that my family would have to endure a lot for me to be the K-9 handler I wanted to be. With my wife’s blessing and full support, I applied for the position and got the spot.
The next few weeks dragged by as my supervisor, Major John Kahl, went to K9 Concepts in Broussard, LA and selected the K-9 that would become part of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Major Kahl showed me a video of him. His name was Buddy. He was a single purpose (narcotics only) K-9.
Before I knew it, I was off to K-9 school. I trained at K9 Concepts for two weeks. I found out that being a K-9 handler involved way more than what the internet said. I had to learn Dutch and I had to learn how to read my dog. I can tell you it was harder than it looked. But I knew then that I had found my calling.
After becoming a certified K-9 handler in January 2016, I was ready to hit the road. As a narcotics K-9, Buddy was certified to locate a variety of illegal drugs. I also began training with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office and Houma Police Department. I found that those guys also loved the K-9 world. After a few months of work, I saw even more potential in Buddy. He could be a patrol K-9.
The work began all over again. I went back to K9 Concepts for three weeks of training and then trained for two more weeks with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office to get Buddy ready to certify. We had to learn so much more: searching buildings, tracking suspects, handler protection, and more Dutch!
Certification day came and Buddy passed. But the work continues. We train each week with the other agencies’ K-9 Units. On some days, we have as many as 13 K-9’s. By combining the training, our K-9 Units have the opportunity to work in different locations. We train in swimming pools, schools, and even the Mr. Charlie Rig so our law enforcement K-9’s are comfortable in any situation they may be deployed to.
Having the K-9 has benefitted the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, the community, and me in many ways. Having Buddy has given us another way to help keep our parish safe and he’s given me the motivation to be a better deputy. Buddy loves his job. I can’t tell you in words how happy he is to get in the unit to go to work every day. Be sure to say hi when you see us out and always remember that we are here for you.
Detective Christopher Crappell
St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office
K-9 Section
Louisiana Deputy Sheriff Assistance Fund
The Louisiana Deputy Sheriff Assistance Fund provides financial relief and assistance to eligible deputies of any Louisiana Sheriff and their eligible dependents that have been impacted by a Qualified Disaster. You can help them by donating at the link below.
Sheriff Mark Hebert Congratulates D.A.R.E. Graduates
Students at Centerville, Berwick, Glenco Charter, J.S. Aucoin, and Raintree elementary schools celebrated their D.A.R.E. graduations this past Fall and this Spring. The fifth graders successfully completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in the course of a semester. The 10 week long D.A.R.E. program teaches students decision making skills that equip them to lead safe and healthy lives. Lessons include the dangers of drug abuse, how to resist and refuse peer pressure, and how to take a stand against bullying. The program is designed to boost students’ social skills and enhance self esteem which is a key factor in contending with these issues. As a graduation requirement, the 5th graders are asked to write an essay describing what they have learned from the D.A.R.E. program. The essays are often narratives of personal experiences of bullying or peer pressure and explain how the students will use or have used the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model (DDMM) to overcome those challenges. Guest speakers at each of the graduations encouraged students to continue to use the skills they learned in D.A.R.E.
Guest Speaker Sheriff Mark Hebert, St. Mary Parish
Guest Speaker Deputy Walter Shepherd, St. Mary Parish
Guest Speaker Judge Kim Stansbury, City Court of Morgan City
Guest Speaker Lt Alexander Barnes, St. Mary Parish
Guest Speaker Jacki Ackel, Safe Schools Advocate & Berwick Councilmember
Guest Speaker District Judge Lewis Pitman
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office manages the program in 5 schools across the parish for approximately 500 students each school year. Funding for the DARE program is provided in part through grants and the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Honorary Membership Program.
VOICE for Victims - National Crime Victims' Rights Week
The 13th Annual VOICE for Victims Rally was held in Bouligny Plaza in New Iberia Monday.
The Voices of Innocent Citizens Empowered (VOICE) is a support and advocacy group for victims of violent crime. The evening event marked National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Sgt. Jose Alexander with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office sings "You Raise Me Up"
New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry reading the National Victims' Rights Week Proclamation
16th Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe
Louisiana District Attorney Jeff Landry
Special guest speakers, Kevin and Dondie Breaux, parents of Mayci
Sheriff Mark Hebert
Sheriff Hebert also spoke at the rally, “We, as law enforcement officers, have the first opportunity to help victims cope with trauma and we know that what we do in those first moments can often define a victim’s recovery. We have a responsibility to help victims restore their sense of security and regain control over their lives. We are committed to carrying out that mission beyond the first call for service. We work closely with organizations like Chez Hope, the St. Mary Council on Aging, St. Mary Community Action Agency and St. Mary schools to help make sure crime victims receive the support and services they need. We also offer a multitude of resources to prevent others from becoming victims.”
For more information on the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Victims Services Program call 337-907-0408.
Session 55 Graduates Challenge Upcoming Class of Cadets
In November of 2015, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy graduated 8 of the 10 cadets who began training in August.
The cadets of Session 55 underwent 550 hours of rigorous training in defensive tactics, firearms, criminal and traffic law, first aid, community policing, and other areas of law enforcement. Under the direction of Captain Brian Charpentier, cadets achieve a level of mental and physical skill and conditioning that contributes to a positive police culture and equips them to excel at meeting evolving public safety needs.
From service in the military to school teaching, the previous experience that cadets brought to the 55th session resulted in one of the most intense training academies in recent history. Through teamwork, cadets pushed themselves and their classmates to a higher level of excellence in every aspect of their training.
During the graduation address given by Dty. Shepherd, the class challenged future academy sessions to set the bar even higher. Session 56, the next class of cadets, begins training this week.
Session 55 Graduates and Awards:
Physical Fitness Award - Dty. Russo
John Kahl Award of Excellence - Dty. Seidel
For the first time in academy history two cadets with equally high skills took the firearms award for proficiency in shooting - Dty. Robison and Dty. Russo
From left to right are: Captain Brian Charpentier, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy Director; Officer Ben Darden, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department; Officer Tonya Burke, Chitimacha Tribal Police Department; Deputy Kevin Seidel, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office; Officer Joseph Trevigne, V, Nicholls State University Police Department; Deputy Adam Robison, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Joshua Sylve, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Ryan Russo, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Walter Shepherd, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office; Corporal Dustin Crabtree, Academy Instructor; and Captain Joe Clements, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy Assistant Director
Light of Hope Ceremony Honors Law Enforcement & Victims of Impaired Driving
With the lighting of a candle, there was a moment of silence in memory and recognition of victims of drunk driving here in St. Mary Parish. The annual Light of Hope ceremony was held at the Lamp Post in Franklin last week. The ceremony, hosted by the St. Mary Parish Mothers Against Drunk Driving Chapter (MADD), serves to remember those affected by impaired driving as well as honor law enforcement for their efforts in taking drunk drivers off of the roadways.
Jacki Ackel with the local MADD chapter said she is happy to report a decrease in impaired driving arrests made by the 7 parish law enforcement agencies. In 2015, there were a total of 147 arrests made by parish agencies. Ackel says that number is down by 35 when compared to the same time period in 2014.
Members of parish and state law enforcement agencies were honored for their work in taking impaired drivers off the roadways. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Mathew Moore received recognition for making 6 arrests for driving while intoxicated. Deputy Taurean Smith was recognized for making 5 impaired driving arrests over the year. Deputies with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office made a total of 47 DWI arrests in 2013, 41 in 2014, and 31 DWI arrests in 2015 showing a continued decrease.
Sheriff Mark Hebert says, “I commend Sergeant Moore and Deputy Smith for their diligent work in taking drivers who are a danger to others and themselves off the roadways. Their efforts are a part of getting convicted impaired drivers the help they need and ensuring the safety of all those on the roads in St. Mary Parish.”
From left to right: Captain John Kahl, Jr., Captain Sennet Wiggins, Sergeant Mathew Moore, Deputy Taurean Smith, Major Gary Driskell, and Major Scott Anslum
According to guest speaker Judge Elect Lewis Pitman, much has changed over the last 3 decades when it comes prosecuting and sentencing those accused and convicted of impaired driving. Pittman says for DWI convictions in the 80’s, “the penalty wasn’t that severe, the fine wasn’t that terrible, and the loss of driving privileges didn’t happen.”
As a result of the push for safer roads by groups like MADD and law enforcement, the state legislature has enacted harsher penalties over the years.
District Judge Elect Lewis Pitman
Pitman added that the Louisiana Supreme Court recently decided to transition to a treatment program that will categorize and treat offenders based on risk. Pitman says the current program does not differentiate between first time low risk offenders and higher risk repeat offenders. The new program will begin to go into effect in 2016.
However, Pitman says those types of programs do not deter the first time offender. Like many, he calls the prevalent use of alcohol in St. Mary Parish a cultural phenomenon. “The cultural use of alcohol is ingrained.” He says, “The only thing that’s gonna change this is education,” and commended Mothers Against Drunk Driving for being the foremost points in that fight for education.
The ceremony was sponsored by the St. Mary Parish MADD Chapter, Red Ribbon Committee, and Lamp Post Event Center.
Traci Landry
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer
pio@stmaryso.com
985-354-0714
Domestic Violence, A Deputy's Point of View
Over the course of my career, I have learned that a domestic violence complaint is not only one of the most dangerous calls for service, but may even be the most deadly for law enforcement officers. Many people are unaware of the dangers involved and why law enforcement officers take the actions they do while on this type of call.
For a moment, put yourselves in our shoes. We watch an incident unfold in real time, not in minutes, hours, or days after the fact. We do not have the luxury of assuming that the scene is stable based on the information we receive from a caller or 911 operators. More times than not, the information we initially get as we are responding to the scene is vastly different from the situation we are presented with upon arrival. Not everyone understands the fluidity. Emotions can swing 180 degrees, from calmness to a deadly force encounter in hundredths of a second. This makes domestic violence complaints volatile and complicated. With that in mind, you can understand the instantaneous need for the officer(s) to take control of the incident. Typically, this is done with verbal commands, separating the parties involved. This is not to isolate any one party, but to defuse the situation as quickly as possible. Depending on the initial observations, one or all of the subjects potentially involved may even be handcuffed. That decision is made by the responding officers for their safety and the safety of others. In other words, this may be the only way we have to ensure the person(s) will not attack one another, or the law enforcement officers. Remember; no two complaints are exactly the same, with the factors continuing to change moment by moment.
We give everyone the opportunity to have their say about what occurred and how it started. In some cases we know the history of a relationship, but more often we do not. Depending on what we find during an investigation, if no charges are filed, we may act in a counseling role. We may serve as moderators allowing for the argument to dissipate. More often than not, this is the case, and everybody does the right thing and moves on.
However, domestic violence calls often involve physical violence. This can be a male subject physically harming a female subject or vice versa. It can also involve siblings, other family members, and even associates who are directly involved. This is the dynamic event we arrive to and it’s total chaos. We have an immediate duty to restore order and prevent further escalation. With such a dynamic situation, emotions are running high. The common denominator for all persons involved is law enforcement. This is where many issues arise. The officers are taking action to prevent further escalation and other family members take exception turning their hostilities towards the officer(s). Trust me when I say we all have families and are fiercely loyal to them. We understand the thinking when somebody says that’s my brother, sister, dad, mom, aunt, uncle, grandmother, or grandfather. It is the whole thought of, “I can say or do something to my family but hell hath no fury if an outsider gets involved in family business.” We completely get it, really we do! But if the situation has gotten so out of control that emergency services are called, it’s not a normal disagreement. It means it has escalated beyond what the average person thinks a disagreement is. And so now we are involved and under the law must take action. Law enforcement is empowered to make an arrest(s) and it is obligated to do so under certain circumstances. This leaves the decision on whether or not to file charges out of the hands of the persons involved. This decision is not taken lightly, especially when children are involved and present. The agony children witness during these calls for service tugs at each and every fiber of our hearts.
After everything calms and is more stable, we inform victim(s) of additional assistance that is available to them. There are a vast amount of resources available to victims. But, we can’t make victims seek help; we can only provide them with the tools to do so. But remember, we can’t help, if we do not have the information. Typically domestic violence gets worse as time goes on. Once the behavior is to the point of making threats and physical violence, it does not subside over time. Statistically it gets worse without some form of intervention.
Lt. Michael C. Stewart
St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office
If Everything Else Fails, Try Underwater Basketweaving
“Always do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason.” These are words of advice I received when I graduated the police academy a short nineteen years ago. They were from the keynote speaker who was a man that I had great respect for. Little did I know then how those words would stick with me to this day. They were also the words that I first thought of when I heard the theme of this year’s red ribbon week. And I believe it fits, especially when we are talking about abusing drugs. I guess if you think about it, there is never a good time or reason to abuse drugs. Regardless of what you tell yourself or what others say. Doing the right thing is not always easy, it's not always fun, and it’s not always our first inclination. But if you do what’s right, regardless of what others think, you will set yourself on a path in life that should lead you where you need to be.
There is a saying, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” I have come in contact with many people over the years who have actually told me, “There is nothing else to do around here, so we just get high.” Really? You mean to tell me that you can’t find ANYTHING better to do? Maybe try taking up a hobby. Hunt, fish. Heck, you could take up underwater basket weaving and it would make more sense than using drugs as a pastime. The point is, we must take the time to introduce new interests to our kids and impressionable youth. Kids, get involved in school, sports, or civic activities. The more you fill your life with that which is useful and purposeful, the less time you will have for drugs. It’s a fact; I have never met a crack head with a busy schedule.
Like most places around the country, here in St. Mary Parish we combat a variety of drugs on a daily basis. One of the most prevalent is methamphetamine, which I will refer to as “meth.” Meth use in the area is on the rise. This is disheartening if you are aware of the destructive nature of meth. Meth is a drug that will continue taking from the user until there is nothing left. Meth takes your money, looks, family, and your teeth. That’s right…grill…gone. We have dealt with people who have fought with meth addiction over a period of time. It’s amazing. Not only does meth destroy the body, but it destroys a person spiritually. Meth seems to change the nature of the person’s ethical compass.
The majority of the meth that we see in the area comes from another country. I won’t say where, but it rhymes with Mexico. There, drug cartels are producing mass quantities of the drug and flooding American streets with it. The chemicals needed to produce the drug are not as controlled there and are more easily obtained. What chemicals are in meth you ask? Well, that’s a good question. Some more commonly used items to make meth are ephedrine, lye, camping fuel, anhydrous ammonia, and red phosphorous. You know…health food. This is ironic since if I asked someone to walk over to the cleaning supply closet and just start drinking the chemicals (don’t…do…this), they would think I was crazy. Well, what’s the difference? You are ingesting hazardous chemicals that were NEVER meant for human consumption. So, when meth destroys your body and brain it shouldn’t be much of a shock.
I believe that there is a great need for continued education about drugs of abuse in our community. Recently, there was a problem of epidemic proportions involving the use of synthetic marijuana in the parish. I am glad to say, we have seen a steep decline in the use and seizures involving synthetics. Does this mean they are gone? Absolutely not. They are alive and well in the area. However, the message has gotten out that synthetics are bad news. I believe that this is directly related to the overwhelming interest from our parish schools, parents, churches, and civic groups in regards to the dangers of synthetic drugs. Heck, there was a time when members from the St. Mary Sheriff’s Office were giving presentations on synthetics multiple times a week, to a variety of audiences. I think this joining of the community and law enforcement was crucial in making headway in the war on synthetics. And this success has given me hope. Hope that the work that law enforcement does is not in vain and that our concerns and warnings for the community have not fallen on deaf ears. And when you have these groups working together, doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.
Captain John Kahl, Jr.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Criminal Investigation and Narcotics Divisions Commander
Oh, the Decisions You’ll Make!
I made it to the ripe old age of 49. Yes boys and girls, 49. As I approached my birthday this past September, I refused to say that number and did not mentally want to hear it. Yes, I know I’m one year away from 50. Aren’t I supposed to have the wisdom of the world by now? I do have a little. Here it is.
No one person always makes the right decisions all the time. We make mistakes and must deal with the results. The best part about this is if we survive, we do not have to make that same mistake again and can help others with our experience. Stay with me…you have got to understand that making a decision will have what’s called – consequences. It’s a big word. I define consequences as the result of something you choose to do or not to do.
Back in the 90’s, I was on a complaint dealing with a suspect that had cut another individual. In the course of bringing him in, I came across a person who made a decision that would have long lasting consequences on me, my family, and even you who are reading this. That person decided to drink and drive. He crashed head on into my patrol unit. I was trapped. The car caught fire. Friends from the Sheriff’s Office and Morgan City Fire Department got me out. I went to the hospital where I stayed for almost a month. I have had three surgeries as a result of the crash. But, I’m not the only one who suffered because of that person’s decision. My wife had to change her life because of it, my parents changed because of it, my coworkers were affected because of it. Even my kids, who weren’t even born yet, have been affected by it.
When you are about to make a decision, you fall back on what you already know. Sometimes, we may not be fortunate enough to have that knowledge to guide us. We have got to look at what might happen if we do it, or don’t do it. When you’re out hanging with your friends, trying your best to fit in, and somebody decides that alcohol or marijuana use is a good idea, you have to evaluate what is good for you. The decision to use can bring a lot of negative consequences. It affects you immediately and in the long term. The decision to use drugs may bring acceptance from those around you; but are those the people you really need? You may run afoul of law enforcement and end up with a lot of unwanted attention (incarceration, probation). You may become drug dependant. In the long run, you may damage relationships with loved ones and family. Oh and by the way lets stop thinking about ourselves for a minute. What about those strangers out there that will be forced to live with the consequences of your decision to use drugs if things go badly?
The decision to not use may mean that those so called friends won’t accept you. Wow, think about that. You will be forced to find friends that have a positive impact on you. The decision to not use will mean that you don’t have to worry about trouble with your parents, teachers, bosses, or law enforcement. Not using means you will have time to finds things that are positive and help you in the future.
O.K. so the ramblings of an about to be 50 year old are short but maybe not so sweet. It’s all about how you want to live your life. We make decisions every day that point us in the direction that we will be heading. If that decision about drug use is – yes – you can plan on a lot of negative consequences coming your way. If the decision to use drugs is –no – then positive consequences are bound to be in your future.
Detective Howard Rogers, Jr.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office
Juvenile Division
Detective Howard Rogers sharing the story of his encounter with an impaired driver at the 2015 D.A.R.E. graduation at Bayou Vista Elementary School