Monies to help purchase Taser packages, surveillance equipment, training and pay OT

Congressman Charlie Melancon announced last Wednesday that federal grants totaling $459,803 have been awarded to eight law enforcement agencies, including four in the Tri-parish area.

The Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary Parish sheriff’s offices and the Houma Police Department were the recipients of separate grants totaling $119,376.

“Louisiana’s law enforcement officers are on the front lines during natural disasters and emergencies,” Rep. Melancon said in a press release. “As we remember hurricanes Katrina and Rita five years ago, and continue coping with the current BP oil disaster in the Gulf, Louisianans recognize how important emergency response and readiness are to the safety of our communities.

“These investments in our local sheriff’s departments will help provide the equipment and resources our law enforcement officers need to communicate in local and state emergencies, providing better protection for our families.”

The grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, which supports an array of initiatives to prevent and control local crime based on state and local needs.

Lafourche and St. Mary combined to receive $41,512, which is $337 less than what Terrebonne received.

“[That grant] has been coming to the agency and many agencies in the state for many years,” said Sgt. Lesley Hill with the LPSO. “There has been cuts in Byrne JAG funding in recent years, and while we certainly appreciate what the congressman has been able to do, we certainly would also appreciate if Washington would restore some of the funding we lost over the years.”

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois said the $41,849 his office was awarded will be spent on Taser packages for deputies.

“We’re very pleased,” Bourgeois said. “Tasers are very important in law enforcement now if used properly, and they’re pretty expensive, so it’s hard for a department to buy them. The grant will enable us to now have those in our possession.

“Instead of lethally injuring somebody, you can actually Tase them now and it’s a temporary recovery instead of someone having to have surgery or being mortally wounded.”

Lafourche Sheriff Craig Webre will use $18,213 grant to combat a rise in drug-related crimes and fund overtime compensation for 10 officers.

“Every dollar we can get to combat illegal narcotics activity is a plus,” Webre said. “On behalf of the men and women of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, I thank the congressman for his work for us.”

HPD will purchase new surveillance equipment and Bureau of Justice Assistance training for five officers and sponsor 20 teens to participate in a Teen Community Emergency Response Team Training.

“This grant allows us to continue paying overtime to officers so we can continue our work to reduce crime,” Police Chief Todd Duplantis said. “The license plate ID and surveillance system will help us find and identify stolen cars and continue our work with Operation PEACE (Police Eyes Against Criminal Engagement).”

St. Mary Sheriff David Naquin said his office will likely spend the $23,299 they received on the 700 megahertz interoperable communications system other law enforcement agencies are installing so, “we can all talk to each other.”

“We meet and decide things like this,” Naquin said. “Since it’s such little money, there is not a lot you can do with it. Initially, we planned on finishing off a small void in our interoperable communications equipment. That’s probably where it’s going to go.”

Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s deputy Jonathon Morrison demonstrates his Taser. The department intends to buy Tasers for their officers after receiving a grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. ERIC BESSON