Food Net Directors Appreciates LPSO Assistance
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Foodnet and the thousands of less-fortunate people who benefit from our food bank, I want to express our gratitude to you and the Department for the major role that you played in our annual Christmas Food Drive. The Twenty-Third annual KLFY-TV-10/Foodnet “Food for Families” food drive was a great success – one of our best. We finished with a total of seventy-four tons of food.
Our success could not have been realized without your co-operation and the assistance of the Trustees. The courtesy and co-operation of my friend, Albert Glaude. Albert is always there with his calmness and re-assurance when just about everything is dependent on the assistance of the trustees. I am very grateful to all of you.
Sincerely
Marcelle F. Citron
Founder/Chairman
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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 proactive 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 : Press Releases
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Press Releases
Sheriff's Water Safety
Friday, June 4, 2004
It's the time of year when thoughts naturally turn to outdoor summer-fun activities, and swimming tops the list. Sheriff Mike W. Neustrom joins the National Safety Council and encourages adults to establish and adhere to strict water safety rules for their children, and themselves:
Never leave a child alone near water---at the pool, the beach or in the tub. A tragedy can occur in seconds. If you must leave, take you child with you.
Always use approved personal flotation devices (life jackets.) The U.S. Coast Guard estimates nearly 9 of 10 drowning victims were not wearing one.
Beware of neighborhood pools. Remove toys from in and around the pool when not in use. Toys can attract children to the pool.
For pools, barriers can offer added protection against drowning. Power or manual covers will completely cover a pool and block access to the water; however, be sure to drain any standing water from the surface of the pool cover as a child can drown in very small amounts of water.
Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. But keep in mind that lessons don't make your child drown-proof."
Older children risk drowning when they overestimate their swimming ability or underestimate the water depth.
Teach your children these key swimming rules: Always swim with a buddy. Don't dive into unknown bodies of water; jump feet first to avoid hitting your head. Don't push or jump on others.
Never consume alcohol when operating a boat, or swimming.
Always have a first-aid kit available, and parents should be trained in CPR.
Sending your children the right message about water safety is one of the most important points you have to get across. The more our children know, the better prepared they will be.
Lt. Craig Stansbury
Public Information Officer
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
236-5876
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