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8/1/2011 - NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

LPD, LPSO invites residents to attend the "National Night Out Against Crime"

Residents throughout Lafayette Parish are invited to join forces with the Lafayette Police Department, the Lafayette Sheriff`s Office and thousands of communities nationwide for the annual "National Night Out.”

This unique crime prevention event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Girard Park Pavilion.

This event will include music, entertainment, food, games and displays by the Lafayette Fire Department, the Lafayette Sheriff`s Office, the Lafayette Police Department SWAT Team, Horse Patrol, Motorcycle Unit, Bicycle Patrol and the Police Command Bus. Target, a corporate sponsor for the event, will have employees on hand to assist with the event.

“National Night Out” is the nation’s largest annual crime prevention event with over 37 million people in 15,000 communities from all 50 states participating with their local law enforcement agencies.

It is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for the participation in local anti-crime efforts: strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships throughout the city and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

4/13/2011 - Crime Stoppers Installation and Honor Banquet

Lafayette Crime Stoppers recently held their Installation and Honor Banquet at the Petroleum Club. Board members were installed as well as awards were given for outstanding officers with various police agencies.

GUEST SPEAKER SHERIFF MIKE NEUSTROM

Cpl Clince Morvant and Chief of Police Brandon Decou Cpl Marshaall Menard and Chief Carlos Stutes
Broussard Police Department Carencro Police Department

Detective Scott Bernard and Chief Earl Menard ULL Chief Joey Sturm and Officer Daniel Nickola
Youngsville Police Department University of Louisiana at Lafayette Police Department

Marshal Nicky Picard and Deputy Shane Duplechin

Marshal Nicky Picard and Shane Duplechin
City Marshals Office

Detective John Shea, Lt Craig Stansbury, Sgt Mark Francis and Detective Colby Lantia
Lafayette Police Department

Lafayette Sheriff Department

Lafayette Sheriff Mike Neustrom along with members of the Sheriff Department

President Bill Rucks receives an award from Marshal Nicky Picard

Lafayette Resource Officers

4/1/2011 - Canine Comrade Lost

Canine comrade lost

Arko, a Belgian Malinois, was the first Lafayette City-Parish K-9 marshal. He died after undergoing emergency surgery for a flipped stomach.

WANT TO HELP?

A fund has been established at Whitney Bank to help pay for the purchase of a new canine. The account number is 716885093. Contributions may be made at any Whitney Bank location or by calling 291-8723 or 291-8724.

The Lafayette City Marshal`s Office is mourning the sudden death of Arko, the first canine in the agency`s 100-year history.

Arko, a dual-trained Belgian Malinois, died last week after undergoing emergency surgery, Marshal Nicky Picard said. He was under a veterinarian`s care at the time of his death.

Picard said Arko`s handler, Deputy Allan Roger, noticed that the dog wasn`t acting like himself as he prepared to take part in a competition in Baton Rouge. A trip to the vet revealed that Arko had a condition in which the animal`s stomach flips.

"We understand that about 60,000 dogs a year die from this," Picard said. "From what the vet told us, it usually happens with dogs with a big chest cavity and who are very active, and they see it a lot in greyhounds. They also see it happen in horses and cattle."

Arko had been a valuable part of the agency since joining the team about a year ago. The local Crime Stoppers organization paid for his purchase, and Arko stayed at the marshal`s office during the day and

accompanied deputies as they sought suspects who had outstanding warrants. He also helped search for drugs and worked with several other law enforcement agencies in the Acadiana area.

"He worked with the federal marshals, the state police, basically anybody who called us," Picard said. "He was in a manhunt in St. Martin Parish. Whenever they needed him, we would send him out."

Roger was particularly upset and was with Arko at the time of his death. Roger`s blood pressure spiked and he required hospital treatment, but he has since returned to work.

"He (Roger) was so close to Arko. He and his wife and his mother all cried about it. It was like losing a son, because Arko was a part of their family," Picard said. "But a nice thing was that a lot of handlers from other agencies met with him and brought their dogs, and that has really helped him."

The office is in the process of trying to purchase another canine. Picard said another dog, Renzo, has been working with Roger within the past few days to see if they are a compatible match. A dog and its handler must work together for at least eight weeks before they can go out in the community together.

Arko`s remains were cremated. A memorial service is planned for a later date. Deputies will wear black bands across their badges until April 15 in honor of Arko.

4/1/2011 - The Knowledge Effect

Are YOU a...

Catalyst

Drug Demand Reduction, Intelligence Analysis, Interdiction, Aviation, Youth Camps, LEA Training, and on and on. What motivates you to go to work every day? What makes you proud to work in Counterdrug and/or with Counterdrug? Why is what we do important to you?

As a new feature within The Catalyst, we want to hear about the true Catalysts within our midsts. We want to hear about those people who are passionate about our mission and why it is so important to our communities and our country’s safety.

Personal summary and photos submitted by Maj. Donna Jones, Louisiana National Guard, Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator

Working in the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) field for almost 18 years has taught me many things, but one of the biggest lessons I have learned is that growth is a process. In order to have prevention impact that effects change, "you need to dig in for a while and remain as persistent as the problem."

As the DDRA for Louisiana, I had the honor and the privilege to be part of a team at both the state and community levels. The Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug DDR Program is proud of its recent Stay on Track (SOT) success in reaching 5,238 students. The program went from reaching 430 students last year to an additional 4,808 students. Our recent success is paving the way for other communities to emulate our efforts.

Our efforts are more than just a program. I agree that strategic planning is important, but I believe relationship and partnership cultivation is the "magic" that makes it all happen.

When I reflect on our recent progress, I don’t necessarily see program numbers. Rather I see the organizational and community groundwork that was laid to launch a viable and essential drug prevention program called SOT. I think about all the faces that made it happen and the countless hours that went into shaping the landscape.

The most important aspect I would like for all prevention leadership to know is that this type of success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a group of dedicated, committed individuals to keep the vision and ‘press the fight’ long term while also overcoming barriers. In doing so, I believe it is important to recognize one of our first partners in this process which is the Governor’s Drug Policy Board’s Prevention Systems Committee.

As the La. Guard’s DDRA, I was asked to serve at the inception of this committee. The committee had the charge of developing and carrying out Louisiana’s Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) immediately following Hurricane Katrina.

Dawn Diez, the SPF-SIG Project Director, and Linda McIntyre, the Prevention Systems Committee Chair, were instrumental in embracing the Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Task Force as one of the partners at the state leadership drug prevention table.

Along with all the other committee members, we worked side by side to introduce new policies, programs, and practices in Louisiana which would eventually be the adhesive material that held our prevention efforts together. This was not an easy process and it took many months and even years to see the state and community alignment that everyone worked so hard towards achieving.

Lafayette parish is a perfect example of how community systems thrive when this prevention alignment comes to fruition.

Lafayette Parish was one of the 10 targeted SPF-SIG Parishes that was awarded grant money to address underage drinking in Louisiana. The Guard’s DDR Program was also asked to participate in Lafayette’s community coalition at its inception. As I reflect, I realize just how instrumental the Knowledge Effect Lafayette Coalition has been in opening the door for the SOT Program to be implemented into the Lafayette communities. If it wasn’t for the great work and partnerships this coalition developed in its growing stages, the National

"Yesterday, I was in a very drug infested school doing post surveys all day in Lafayette. The instructor gave all these students the presentation on how much we care (resource officers, coaches, coalition etc.) and that Lafayette is paving the way for great things to happen all over our state. Don’t you know that a student wrote on a post survey that they liked the program ‘because we care.’ So simple but they got the message."

Guard’s SOT program would not be in the Lafayette Schools.

The Knowledge Effect Lafayette Coalition SPF-SIG Project Director, Kelly Mouisset, is truly a parish prevention systems pioneer. It was through her dedication, passion, and leadership to change her community that she took a risk to partner with the Louisiana National Guard to introduce the SOT Program.

The SOT program was a new program at the time and it was quite difficult to get into the schools during its piloting stages. We worked through the barrier of piloting the program by having a Lafayette Coalition SOT Project Coordinator work side-by-side with the DDRA.

Rikki Manahan, the Lafayette SOT Project Coordinator filled a crucial gap in the operational implementation process of the program. The DDR program did not have a Guardsman at the time in that parish and it was through Rikki’s communication and coordination skills that the SOT program ran smoothly.

We knew we had a quality program and we needed it to be treated with quality care. Rikki met that challenge and continues to do so. Due to the coalition’s efforts, we now have partnered with the Lafayette Police Department Resource Officers through the Lafayette Crime Stoppers and the Lafayette School Athletic Department. The Resource Officers and the coaches are another integral set of partners that makes the Stay on Track Program effort viable. Without them being in the classrooms and teaching the curriculum, the students would not be able to receive the lessons.

Lastly, I would also like to mention how pivotal the support of the Louisiana Counterdrug Coordinator, Lt. Col. Raymond Schindler has been to the program’s DDR efforts. The National Guard has many state and federal missions, and often times, drug prevention efforts are not always put at the top of the priority list. Schindler, helped to remove some significant barriers that allowed our DDR program to flourish. One of his major accomplishments was getting a Guardsman placed in Lafayette parish. In addition, the good working relationship he has with the leadership impacts our mission positively.

This has been a pivotal time for Louisiana’s Counterdrug Task Force as we reached this major milestone with our long standing partnerships.

I have never been, in my 18 years of DDR work, so proud and excited for the Guard and our State.

- CATALYST from Page 4

NE Ground Reconnaissance instrumental in felony arrests

Story by Tech. Sgt. Sharon Okra-Goll, Nebraska National Guard Counterdrug

The Nebraska National Guard Counterdrug Program Ground Reconnaissance Section (GRS) was instrumental in felony charges being brought against four Beatrice, Neb., residents.

Four individuals were arrested for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

The GRS collected several hundred pages of pseudoephedrine logs (from various pharmacies throughout Beatrice). During the several weeks of collecting logs, Nebraska GRS personnel discovered possible persons of interest and possible drug trafficking corridors.

The Counterdrug GRS ultimately provided nearly 100 man hours of support and provided ground surveillance/observation during all phases of operations leading up to the arrests.

According to a Gage County Sheriff’s Deputy, the arrests were a long time coming, but they wanted to be sure there was enough evidence to make a Federal case instead of a local one.’

This was a team effort in which Nebraska National Guard GRS personnel worked hand-in-hand with the Nebraska State Patrol, Beatrice Police Department, the South East Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Gage County Sheriff’s office.

The successful effort of the Nebraska GRS reinforces the commitment that Nebraska Counterdrug has to interdiction and education!

Out of my 11 years within all areas of the Lafayette

Police Department, this by far has been the most

rewarding and fulfilling position I have ever held.

Cpl. Marty Deroussel

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2/18/2011 - TIPSOFT MOBILE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7C-acU6wZ0&feature=player_embedded

TipSubmit Mobile is new mobile tip submission application that offers many great new features and benefits vs. any existing tip submission processes. Tipsters get the convenience of submitting tips from their mobile device with the immediacy of SMS text tipping but without having to rely on the SMS text tip platform and limitations. Images may now be included, unlimited length messages, fully anonymous two-way dialogue and even virtual chat mode when both parties are online. There is a definite place for SMS text tips in this world but our all new TipSubmit Mobile application does indeed take things to the next level for effectiveness and efficiency.

How does it work? | View Summary Sheet | Press Release

10/1/2010 - City Marshal Donation

City Marshal Picard and Arko, Narcotics Dog

Lafayette Crime Stoppers recently made a donation to help in the purchase of a Narcotics Canine named Arko for the City Marshals Office.

Pictured above is :

Mr. Randolph Trappey (Crime Stoppers Board Member),
Lt. Craig Stansbury (Lafayette Parish Sheriff Office),
Mr. Bill Rucks (President of Lafayette Crime Stoppers)
Arko and Marshal Nicky Picard.

7/14/2008 - TEXT-A-TIP PROGRAM

Lafayette Crime Stoppers Inc.

Launches New Text-A-Tip Program

Lafayette Crime Stoppers have developed a safe and secure anonymous text message crime tip system. By adding this capability to the Crime Stoppers arsenal, we expect to generate a much greater level of communication with the citizens we serve.

Sending a text message or SMS (Short Message Service) is simple and convenient. All a tipster must remember is the phone number assigned to our text messaging system. This number is CRIMES (274637). There are no key words to remember just a single phone number. Within seconds of a tipster sending a text tip, a text message is returned automatically to the tipster. This message acknowledges receipt of the tip and it gives the tipster a unique tip number which may be used to refer to their tip at a later date when providing new information or checking on tip for reward status. All text messages are encrypted and are totally anonymous. There is no cost to use this program other than standard messaging fees that may be charged by your Wireless Service Provider. No one ever receives information regarding the tipster’s name or phone number. Tipsters are also advised to delete their tip text messages for safety reasons.

We are excited about the incredible potential this new program will provide law enforcement agencies in their fight to keep our communities safe. Crime Stoppers has a proven track record of success across the United States and around the World. By better meeting the communications needs of our community members and with your involvement, we can take our successes to higher levels than ever seen before.

Remember you can submit information regarding any crime by telephone toll free at 1-800-805-8477 or 232-TIPS (8477),

On the web at www.lafayettecrimestoppers.com

Text message at TIP153 plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

All tipsters remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1000.00.

10/1/2007 - Mounted Patrol Horse Trailer

Thanks to the Lafayette Crime Stoppers Board of Directors for the donation of a brand new four horse trailer given to the Lafayette Police Department Mounted Unit. This trailer will be seen all over Acadiana as the Mounted Unit assists area agencies with parades and crowd control.