National Corrections Supervisor Awarded
Congratulation to Sgt. Armen Alexandrian who has been certified as a national corrections supervisor. Alexandrian passed a written test in August at the American Correctional Association (ACA) Convention in August. Alexandrian is one of three nationally certified supervisors in the Lafayette Parish Corrections Division.
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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 : Press Releases
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Press Releases
Sheriff Neustrom Offers Family Safety Tips
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
Millions of American families will travel to vacation destinations near and far this summer season. Countless hours, and perhaps even weeks and months, often go into making travel plans to ensure the best results possible. But before you take to the road, ask yourself, “Did I do everything I can to make my family, my home and myself as safe for vacation as possible?”
Sheriff Neustrom says, “Preventing a crime during family travel starts with making sure your home is protected while you’re away.
Sheriff Neustrom advises Lafayette Parish residents to take these basic safety precautions before they take the road:
: Stop mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to pick them up every day.
: Put several household lights on timers so they turn on and off at appropriate times.
: Arrange to have grass mowed while your gone.
: Make sure all your doors and window locks are in working order--- and use them.
: Activate your home alarm (if you have one).
: Enlist the help of a neighbor, ask him to park in your driveway overnight to create the
impression that someone is home.
Preparing for a trip requires a lot of planning. Where to go, where to stay, how long it’ll take to get from one place to another and what to take with you make up the planning formula. That same attention to detail, also decrease the chances of crime joining you on your journey.
: Take only essential credit cards; plan to use credit cards or travelers’ checks instead of
cash whenever possible.
: Carry your purse close to your body, or wallet in an inside pocket.
: Keep anything of value such as medicine and jewelry in a carry-on that stays with you.
: Don’t display expensive jewelry, cameras and other items that might draw attention.
: Check maps before you go out so you can tour confidently.
: Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets at all times.
: Always lock your car when it’s parked, even if the stop is brief.
Traveling safely with your family also means sticking together and keeping an eye on your children at all times. Make sure they know where you’re staying, and teach them what to do if they get lost or separated. You might want to agree on a meeting place, just in case. And by all means, make sure your kids know not to accept rides or favors from strangers.
Vacation travel is one of the great joys of life. Make your family vacation a memorable one for all the right reasons.
Lt Craig Stansbury
Public Information Officer
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
337-236-5876
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