Police patrols stepped up in Terrebonne

Law enforcement’s presence in Terrebonne Parish is three to four times greater than normal in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.

Hundreds of extra state and federal officers from across the country are supplementing the sheriff’s office and the Houma Police Department.

“What the sheriff (Vernon Bourgeois) has done is take those additional assets and intensified the regular patrols that we do,” said Bill Dodd, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman. “Where you might normally see a policeman one time a night if you’re lucky, you’re going to see them a half-dozen times a night.”

Along with the 150 parish deputies and 60 Houma Police officers, there are 400 U.S. Army National Guardsmen, and dozens of agents from Immigration & Customs Enforcement, state Wildlife & Fisheries as well as officers from numerous Louisiana cities at Bourgeois’ disposal.

The National Guard’s presence has been most strongly seen at hospitals, stores and distribution centers.

The Louisiana State Police has all of Troop C and members of Troop D, E, F and G enforcing four-way stops at intersections where traffic signals are still out and protecting distribution centers in the parish.

“Now that the ‘Look-and-Leave’ has been lifted, there are going to be more cars on the road, so residents need to take every precaution,” said Troop C spokesman Trooper First Class Gilbert B. Dardar Jr. “Just because the speed limit is 55, doesn’t mean you should go 55. That is for ideal driving conditions, and we have anything but ideal conditions.”

As more residents return to the parish, the sheriff’s office is receiving more calls.

“We’re starting to see more domestic matters, fights, even a few burglaries,” Dodd said. “Curfew violations have not been as bad as I thought. There has been no looting; no violations on the alcohol ban. There’s been one serious crime, a murder on Thursday, but the suspect was arrested very quickly.”

The curfew order is still in effect. Anyone caught on the street between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. will be given a misdemeanor citation punishable up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Law enforcement agents are conducting roaming patrols of the parish. Although they have not concentrated on higher crime areas, as residents return, they will focus more on the places where people are repopulating.

The sheriff’s office is warning homeowners about generator thefts. That was one of the items most frequently stolen after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, according to Dodd.

With law enforcement officers working 12-hour shifts, it has been difficult for them to do the necessary work to repair their own homes after Gustav.

“All these local officers probably would like to do their job and go home and work on their property,” Dodd said. “What’s happening now is they’re going home to sleep then going to work again because they’re dead tired.”