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Kentucky program helps struggling police department in Montgomery, LA This is Sharon Dodson from The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Kentucky. I would like to share a story idea about a small, struggling police department in Montgomery, LA, that we feel is very timely for the season and time of year. The Center administers a national public safety program, the Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center, which focuses on technology outreach and assistance to the nearly 17,000 small and rural law enforcement agencies across the nation. We host a twice-annual national conference, the Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute, which brings together chiefs, sheriffs, and command officers from agencies to discuss solutions to top problems and issues at small departments. We offer them the venue to share their solutions and network, and we often see great things because of those connections. This occurred earlier this month at our Fall 2011 Institute, during which the chief of a small, struggling Montgomery, Louisiana police department came asking for help finding resources to purchase in-car video camera systems. He left with pledges of equipment from other attending officers for not only that specific need, but also with patrol vehicles, badges, officer-worn cameras, and even winter coats for his officers. This synergy is what the event—and our program—is all about. We feel this story has a great “Christmas came early” angle, and falls at a great time of year for coverage like this. I would like to send you a release on this situation for your consideration. If you need additional information, the names of the appropriate contact sources are indicated in the release. Sharon DodsonCommunications SpecialistThe Center for Rural Development2292 South U.S. 27 (at Traffic Light 15)Somerset, KY 42501606-677-6072sdodson@centertech.com Visit: www.centertech.com Kentucky program helps law enforcement from across the nation provide backup for struggling
Louisiana police department A Kentucky program that provides technology assistance for small and rural law enforcement agencies across the nation helped Christmas come early for a rural Louisiana police department. Police Chief Kevin Billiot of Montgomery, La., was one of 31 participants in the Fall 2011 Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute, a national conference hosted Dec. 4-8 in Annapolis, Md. by the Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center (SRTB-RC). SRTB-RC is a Public Safety program operated by The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky. In these times of tightening budgets and limited resources, Billiot’s department needed almost everything it takes to equip and operate a police department: patrol vehicles, in-car video equipment, laptop computers, and even the most basic item for the winter season—heavy-duty coats for his officers. “We have a group of dedicated officers and some of the most basic equipment, but beyond that we have little else,” said Billiot, who took over as the town’s police chief in April 2011. “The opening of Interstate 49 drew traffic, commerce and people away from our community. As a result, our tax base is virtually non-existent and we have very few resources.” Billiot came away from the weeklong national event—which featured chiefs, sheriffs and command officers from 23 states—with more solutions than he could have ever imagined. Thanks to the Institute and fellow attending law-enforcement officials willing to lend a helping hand, nearly all of Billiot’s critical needs are in the process of being met without him having to spend or find any additional funds. “One of the great things about the law-enforcement community is we tend to be very creative,” said Dave Mather, executive director of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center’s (NLECTC) Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center (SRTB-RC), which hosted the Institute. “We find creative ways of making do with whatever resources we have available. That creativity is great, because these creative solutions become solutions for all law enforcement,” Mather added. The event’s primary goal is to serve as a national forum for law enforcement representing small and rural departments to come together and share technology tips that have brought about work-tested solutions. Hosted each spring and fall by SRTB-RC, the Institute brings chiefs, sheriffs, and command officers together and gives each a platform to share a presentation on low-cost, highly effective technology and planning solutions for common small-agency issues. Participants also have ample opportunity to discuss and network with one another on those issues throughout the week. “The Institute brings together real-world practitioners to share ideas and look for commonalities in the way they do business on a day-to-day basis,” said Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development. “We encourage the agencies we serve to look for affordable solutions to the problems they encounter.” In Billiot’s case, he came asking how his department, which consists of two full-time officers (including himself) and three part-time officers, might find resources to obtain in-car video recording systems used to film traffic stops and other actions. Capt. Rick Grassi of the Tomball, Texas Police Department quickly offered Billiot two unused in-car video systems from his department. “Law enforcement is all about building partnerships and helping one another,” said Grassi, “and that’s exactly what we have done here.” Cmdr. Dan Brown of Gila River, Az. Police Department followed that offer by volunteering to donate three used patrol vehicles to Billiot’s department. Once approved by local officials, Brown said he would also fill the vehicles with uniforms, recorders, and other items for Billiot’s department that his own department no longer utilizes. “When you look at a department that truly has nothing and is completely in need, it makes you reflect and say, “Let’s get them what they need,’” Brown said. “Our older equipment is new equipment to them, so if I can get him a couple of vehicles, that’s what we’ll do.” Following his presentation, Billiot also received offers of five laptop computers, assistance from three law-enforcement officials in developing departmental policies, help in creating personal ID badges, and officer-worn cameras from SRTB-RC. “As I was compiling a list of my department’s needs, I realized that everything on that list has already been met by those at the Institute,” said Billiot, who came to Montgomery to pastor a church and found himself the town’s appointed police chief 6 months later. He now serves in both positions. “I am familiar with camaraderie and brotherhood of police departments, but to actually see it in action, and be the primary beneficiary of that at this conference, is humbling and really overwhelming,” he added. Billiot did not have any law-enforcement training or experience when he accepted the position of police chief of Montgomery, a town in Grant Parish, La. with a population of only 730 residents. He has since graduated from Alexandria Regional Police Academy, but continues to seek training opportunities for himself and other officers in his department. “The Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute is a good place to come and get resources—not just from the federal government but from other participants at the event,” Michael O’Shea, program manager for the U.S. Department of Justice’s NLECTC system, said. “Whether you come from an agency with one officer or from an agency with 25,000 officers, we all have the same issues and the same problems.” The latest Institute is the 12th such event organized and presented by SRTB-RC. Presentations delivered at the events can be how an agency addressed an issue, can present a problem to the group for input on a solution, or can impact lessons learned during the implementation of a particular technology. SRTB-RC also arranges for presentations from other National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Centers and staff on services available to them from the federal government and other resources.
All are invited to be a part of the “Let’s Get Jolly in Zwolle” Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 17, with a parade beginning at 5 p.m. at the Zwolle High School grounds.
All are then invited to the Zwolle Festival Grounds for an evening of entertainment, food, crafts, fun and of course, Santa Claus. There will be lots of children’s gifts and a terrific fireworks display.
For vendor entries, contact Wanda Ezernack at 318-645-4307. Parade entries should contact Anna Remedies at 318-508-0680 or Mindy Sepulvado at 318-751-0308. Rich Remedies will handle festival shirts, and can be contacted at 318-645-2742. To have a business or home judged in the decorating contest, contact Martha Henderson at 318-645-9573.
The people of Zwolle sincerely invite all to help them ring in the spirit of Christmas.
2011LOGANSPORT CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AND TEXACO COUNTRY SHOWDOWN SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FINAL & DAVID BALL CONCERT! The Logansport Chamber of Commerce Committee and the River City Events Planning Committee would like to invite you to 2011 Logansport Christmas Festivities and Texaco Country Showdown Southeast Final & David Ball Concert. These events will take place Saturday, December 10th beginning at 9:30am with Art/Craft vendors, food, and music to enjoy throughout the day. Texaco Country Showdown Southeast Regional Final activities include Landry & Company at 10:15 am; 11:00 am Competitors Rehearsal on the River Stage; 1:00 pm Westbound 21 performing; 2 -3 pm Downtime on the River Stage; 2 -3 pm/ Adams Ford Company – Reception for The Final Competitors – with a Meet & Greet, Photo /Autograph session, last chance to get “Free Tickets.” At 3:15 Landry & Company on the River Stage; 4:00 pm the “Rockn’ Round the Christmas Tree” parade will roll through the streets of Logansport, with Santa Clause coming to town! After the Christmas Festivities, get ready for the Texaco Country Showdown Southeast Regional Final and David Ball Concert. The pre-show ceremonies will include the Presentation of Colors by the Cub Scout Troop 33 at 5:10pm. Followed by Sharonda Falcon performing patriotic songs. The competition begins at 5:30 pm. After the completion a fireworks display will light the river front. Immediately following the fireworks display, at approximately 6:45 Alex Troegel will be on stage, followed by the Justin Merritt Band with guest Alex Troegel. David Ball & the Pioneer Playboys will perform at 8:15 pm! The announcement of the Southeast Regional final will be made after the David Ball concert. The drawing for the “LeAnn Rimes & David Ball” signed guitar will be immediately following Showdown awards. Bring your lawn chairs and warm blankets! The Parade will begin at First Baptist Church, proceed down Gum Street, turn right onto 2nd street, left on Veteran’s Memorial Drive, follow under the train trestle and bridge, cross Marshall Highway, and dismiss at Rose-Neath Funeral Home. There is still time to enter the parade if you are interested! Free concert tickets will be given to all parade participants! Call or e-mail Francie Woods at 318-617-9363 or fwoods28@gmail.com for parade information or Linda Vidler at: LLVidler@gmail.com / Valda Barry at: vlb@hughes.net for Showdown information. Entries for the parade are still being accepted. Don’t miss out on all the fun! Hope to hear from you soon!
The Choctaw Apache Tribal Council will hold a meeting on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at 4 p.m. at the tribal offce. The Federal Recognition Committee will also meet on Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. at the tribal office. All tribal members are encouraged to attend.
*Monday-December 12, 2011-Sabine Parish Court House (Blood drive located in the Police Jury Room) 10:00 am-2:00 pm
*Friday-December 16, 2011-Sabine Medical Center (Mobile Bus blood drive) 11:00 am-2:00 pm
