Sheriff Mike Neustrom receives the Patriot Award
Sheriff Mike Neustrom receives the Patriot Award from John E. Manion, Brigadier General James B. Cobb and T.K. Armington of the National Guard and Reserve of Louisiana. The award was given in recognition of Sheriff Neustroms' support of his employees that are in the National Guard and Reserve, especially those that have been activated and deployed to protect our country and its interests.
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Shenandoah Neighborhood Watch Appreciates Deputies
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Dear Sheriff Neustrom
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Dear Sheriff Neustrom:
I would like to start off by thanking the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department for their assistance in the planning and implementation of our Neighborhood Watch program. As you may already be aware, our neighborhood is not within the city limits of any smaller municipality, and is simply part of rural Lafayette Parish. Our neighborhood had increasing problems with thefts and criminal damage to property, and simply used the Lafayette Parish Sheriff s Department as a means of reporting the incidents.
After much frustration, our neighborhood decided it was time to take action and put a stop to our neighborhood problems. Sergeant Tom Stith with the Community Services Unit has been more than helpful and cooperative in assisting with getting the Neighborhood Watch up and running, and keeping it maintained.
Sergeant Stith and Deputy Elisa Foster came to our first Neighborhood Watch meeting armed with flyers, pamphlets, and a well of information which they shared with us. They gave us instruction on personal safety, securing our homes, monitoring the neighborhood and keeping ourselves safe in doing so, and dealing with certain situations that may arise, as well as how to work with the Sheriffs Department in resolving our problems, including a pro-active approach at deterring crime.
Our neighborhood also had a block party several months after starting our program, at which Sergeant Stith, his lovely wife, and Deputy Darrell Doucet attended. Sergeant Stith and Deputy Doucet presented some of our Neighborhood Watch Block Captains with the signs we had ordered and that were delivered to the Sheriff s Department, and made sure to get to know
the neighbors, listen to their concerns, and generally let the neighborhood know that the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department is backing us in our endeavor.
I also wanted to add that Sergeant Stith and his wife attended the block party on their own personal time and we are very thankful to them for their presence and for Sergeant Stith's respectable work ethic. He is an asset to the Sheriff's Department, Actually, Sergeant Tom Stith, Deputy Darrell Doucet, and Deputy Elisa Foster, are all assets to your Department.
I initially had some doubts about the Neighborhood Watch program and its effectiveness. However, after just a few weeks, our neighborhood was seeing a decrease in criminal and mischievous activity, and after just a few months, the neighborhood is relatively quiet.
When the Shenandoah Neighborhood Watch began, our neighborhood was having approximately 3 to 4 incidents (give or take a few) per week. Our neighborhood now has zero incidents per week with just an occasional problem reported. It appears that with a little pro¬active involvement, we are able to deter problems in our neighborhood.
Again, I thank the Lafayette Parish Sheriff s Department, Sergeant Tom Stith, Deputy Darrell Doucet, and Deputy Elisa Foster, as well as all of the patrolling deputies, in helping to continue to make our neighborhood a safe haven for our families!
With kind regards, I remain
Very truly yours,
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Marguerite Fitzgerald, Shenandoah Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
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Home : Community Relations : News & Recognition
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Press Releases
Lafayette Sheriff's Office Offers First Responder Autism Training
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Sheriff Mike Neustrom announces that the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Acadiana Society for Autistic Citizens to host two Law Enforcement & First Responder Autism Training Sessions at the Lafayette Sheriff's Community Training Center. These training sessions, presented by Dennis Debbaudt, are designed to offer information about how to recognize characteristics of autism, along with tips for effective communication with individuals who have autism spectrum disorders.
The two training sessions are scheduled for 8AM – 11AM and 2PM – 5PM on Monday, May 3, 2004. These courses are presented free of charge for law enforcement personnel and other first responders, however seating is limited. Please call 337-236-5607 to register for either of these sessions.
Donna Delahoussaye
Media Relations/Project Coordinator
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
337-236-5814
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