City toughens policy for protecting service users

Citizens doing business with the city of Thibodaux will soon have an added layer of protection courtesy of a new identity theft program.

The Thibodaux City Council adopted the program last week in an effort to detect, prevent and mitigate identity-theft related information used in covered accounts. The Federal Trade Commission is requiring all creditors to adopt the identity theft policies.

Mayor Charles Caillouet said the FTC defines covered accounts as those where a creditor provides an account for personal, family or household use that is designed to allow multiple payments or transactions.

In Thibodaux, the accounts pertain to utility services, according to Caillouet. “The city provides water, sewer, garbage and natural gas services for residents in the parish,” he said.

Finance Director Deborah Daigle established an identity theft prevention program for the city. She said each account will have a specific number and password. Also, paper documents, files and electronic media containing secured information will be stored in locked filing cabinets.

In addition, Daigle said only select employees will have access to the secured information.

At last week’s meeting, the council also amended the Thibodaux Code of Ordinances as it relates to fire lanes within city streets. Council Chairman Chad Mire asked Council Administrator Jenny Morvant to research the city’s laws relative to the establishment of fire lanes within the city.

Morvant said the current law addresses establishing fire lanes on private property, but does not include provisions for creating such lanes on public property.

City Attorney Germaine Jackson prepared a new definition of fire lanes within the city limits.

The added wording pertaining to public property reads, “… fire lanes are specifically designed to allow fire apparatus unobstructed access at all times to buildings, fire hydrants, stand pipes or sprinkler connection and fire department connections in the event of a fire or medical emergency.”

The definition also directs proper marking for the new fire lanes on public property. The words “fire lane” will be stenciled on the top and side of all red curbs at a maximum interval of 50 feet.

As an alternative for roads without curbs, the council approved the use of a 12-inch red stripe with the words “fire lane” in white, parallel to the edge of the road.

Jackson said the proposed amendment to the provision also states that vehicles parked in any area designated as a fire lane can be towed at the owner’s expense.