Arnaundville Police Department

Prêt à protéger, fier de servir

Ready to protect. Proud to Serve

The Chief's Blog

The Tide Will Turn

November 17, 2021


As we enter the holiday season – the season of “giving”, I reflect on the last year as your Chief. It has been a challenging year, both professionally and personally, but because I am a man of faith, I have to believe that my Maker is ultimately in control.


As a Police Chief managing a small rural department, my biggest challenge has been recruiting and retaining quality personnel. Arnaudville suffers the same fate and the same struggles as almost every other law enforcement agency in the country. We must recognize those elements that are impacting our efforts, and fight against some of the negative attitudes and perceptions we get from some of our citizens, from municipal officials, and from within our own ranks. We must acknowledge that there exists leadership that does not have the best interest of our citizens in mind; leadership that often turns its back on the brave and committed men and women who carry the badge and wear the uniform. There are invisible forces behind the scenes who would change the fundamental direction and values we have fought for for generations.


My over two decades serving in law enforcement has obviously been met with moments of challenge – Hurricane Katrina, big city crime, facing the tragedy and sorrow of fallen officers, meeting families of victims, and more – all to be anticipated as a police officer. What I never anticipated was a national movement that vilifies, disregards, dismisses and destroys the lives and livelihoods of decent, honest and hard-working law enforcement officers. A top-to-bottom movement that ultimately results in more crime, more disorder, and more chaos in communities and trauma to innocent citizens. As in every such movement, we always see a course correction, and I am optimistic that we will see the tide turn.


As I reflect on a personal level, I count the many family and friends who have been touched by a global pandemic that left us nowhere to hide and no immunity from devastating loss. My own brother succumbed to Covid-19, as did many of his fellow nursing home residents. Otherwise healthy family members, young and old did not escape the clutches of Covid. Attempting to understand the rationale for restrictions, mandates, and closures left more confusion, division and distrust. Covid took lives, but also took much more from us – our compassion, tolerance, empathy and trust. We are left as cynical, suspicious and mistrustful citizens choosing sides, and isolating and ostracizing those who dare to contradict or question.

But, as we move through all of this, we are left with our faith. Faith that tells us that while we are all on borrowed time, the best is still ahead of us. Life is constantly renewing, evolving and transforming into something better. We only need to wait, because the course will be corrected. The pendulum will swing the other way.


For those who can never see beyond their own selfishness or greed, or who fail to believe life is about giving and not taking, I have pity for them. The misery and hurt they inflict on others will come back to rest on their own souls. For the majority of us, the holiday season - the season of “giving” is but a time when our challenges, our pain and our struggles are overshadowed by the good we can do for others.


Happy Holidays, Arnaudville!

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Neighborhood Watch Tips

Posted on September 25, 2014 at 6:55 PM
Crime prevention means being aware of your environment and remaining alert to situations that could make you vulnerable to crime. We cannot list specific measures that will protect you from every threatening situation, which may arise. Instead, we hope to teach you how to think "Crime Prevention" in day-to-day living. The suggestions presented should not be thought of as a list of crime prevention measures, but as examples of common sense behavior that will help you to make life safer and more secure.

PROTECTING YOURSELF  WHILE WALKING:
  • If at all possible, never walk alone.
  • If you cannot find someone to walk with you, contact Public Safety at 410-777-1818 for an escort.
  • If you absolutely have to walk alone, walk on well-lighted, well-traveled walkways and plan your route ahead of time. Avoid places where attackers might hide (spaces between parked cars, overgrown shrubs, and dark passageways) and areas where you might get cornered. Remember that it is best to walk facing traffic.
  • If anyone follows you, look confident and let him or her know you are aware of their presence. Don't be polite or engage in conversation.
  • If they continue to follow you, cross the street and/or change directions.
  • If this doesn't work, walk toward other people or occupied buildings and stay away from places where you might get cornered.
  • If someone in a car follows you and is persistent or becomes obscene, write down the license number and report it to the Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.
WHILE DRIVING:
  • If someone follows you and is persistent or becomes obscene, write down the license number and report it to the appropriate police agency or Department of Public Safety as soon as possible.
  • If you are trapped in your car, honk your horn in quick short bursts. This will attract people's attention.
  • Make sure that all of the car doors are locked whenever you leave your vehicle.
  • When returning to your car, have your keys ready so you can enter your car quickly and be aware of your surroundings. If you have to look into a purse or a pocket to find them, it takes extra time and you lose sight of what is around you, which could allow someone to sneak up on you.
  • As you approach your car, look underneath to make sure no one is hiding there. Before you enter your car look to see if all of the doors are locked or if there are any uninvited passengers in the back seat or on the floor. If your door locks are not the way you left them or you see someone inside, leave the area as quickly as possible and notify the Department of Public Safety.
  • Don't pick up hitchhikers.
WORKING LATE:
  • Let someone know where you will be working an when you anticipate returning home. Make sure your family and friends know the work number where you can be reached. Call when you reach your workstation and once again just before leaving to go home.
  • A portable cellular phone is highly recommended. They are effective in emergency situations to give instant access to emergency services.
  • Carry a portable, battery-powered high decibel alarm device or a loud whistle.
  • Carry a small pocket flashlight in your purse or on a key ring, and try to park in well lighted areas and walk along lit walkways.
  • Carry your keys and access cards in your hand when you are approaching the appropriate doors, keeping them readily available. Make sure locked doors close and lock behind you.
  • Keep your workstation or office locked after hours.
  • When returning to your vehicle, watch for suspicious persons nearby and have your keys in your hand. Check the interior of your vehicle before getting in. 
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PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY  PREVENTING THEFTS FROM VEHICLES:
  • Install a vehicle alarm or mechanical lock for the steering wheel or ignition.
  • Always lock the doors and leave the windows rolled up.
  • Always activate any auto alarms or anti-theft devices.
  • Keep books, tape players, and other valuables out of sight. Expensive items in full view invite theft even if the vehicle is locked. Don't advertise the types of equipment you have in your vehicle.
  • Place valuable items in your trunk not the front or back seats.
  • Know the license number, year, make and model of your vehicle.
  • Do not leave money, checkbooks, or credit cards in the vehicle at any time.

PREVENTING BICYCLE THEFT
  • Keep bicycles locked any time they are unattended with a good "U" type lock. Second choice would be a good casehardened padlock and cable. Be sure the "U" lock or cable goes through the front wheel, rear wheel and the frame, and secure it to a fixed object.
  • Check the lock by pulling on it to make sure it is secure.
  • Use an engraver to place an identifying mark on unpainted major bicycle components.
  • Be sure to retain all evidence of purchase, including the serial number.
  • Be able to identify the bicycle.. not only by its color, but also by its features.
  • Have one or more close up color photographs of the bicycle on hand.
  • Register the bicycle in the Police registration program.
  • Never loan your bicycle or other property to strangers.
  • Try to avoid parking a bicycle in a deserted or poorly lit area.

PREVENTING THEFTS FROM OFFICES
  • Don't become complacent. Be aware! Be attentive.
  • Don't showcase your office.
  • Close and lock your office when it is not occupied. It only takes seconds for a thief to notice an unoccupied office, walk in and put something in a book bag.
  • Lock your desk, file cabinet, locker, etc.
  • Don't leave your purse in that last or bottom drawer of your desk (thieves know it's there). 

REPORTING A CRIME OR EMERGENCY   An important responsibility of a victim or witness of a crime or other emergency is timely reporting to appropriate authorities. The local police station is on duty 24 hours a day. When reporting an incident, attempt to provide as much detail as possible about the situation, including at least the following, but reports can be called in anonymously, as well.
  1. Your name;
  2. Your location and telephone number where you can be reached;
  3. The nature of the problem you are reporting;
  4. Additional information as requested by the communications officer.

IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME  If you see or suspect a crime is being committed, pay particular attention to the features of the offender(s) and any vehicles involved. Try to be prepared to provide at least the following about the offenders:When reporting a crime by telephone, remain on the phone until the dispatcher is fully briefed with all the information necessary to dispatch the appropriate response personnel to the scene.
  1. Age, race, height, and weight;
  2. Hair color and style, beard and mustache;
  3. Notable characteristics (acne, scars, glasses mental state, etc.)
  4. Clothing description;
  5. Location where last seen;
  6. Last known direction of travel;
  7. Vehicle description and distinctive markings.

Witnesses who wish to remain anonymous may do so. It is more important that a response be dispatched as quickly as possible.  IF YOU ARE VICTIMIZED  If you become the victim of a crime,report the offense immediately. Timely reporting of a crime improves the possibility of suspect apprehension and recovery of stolen property. Officers investigate each reported crime to the best of their ability. If you are victimized, it is very important that you provide the investigating officer with as much information about the incident as possible. 

SUMMARY  We cannot do this job alone. As a member of this community, you can help by calling us when you have a security-related problem or if you witness an incident occurring. Get to know us better and help form that teamwork that will help make Arnaudville a more secure and safe environment.

Categories: The Working Chief

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WORKING LATE:

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2:52 PM on June 11, 2018 
ecurity-related problem or if you witness an incident occurring. Get to know us better and help form that teamwork that will help make Arnaudville a more secure and safe environment.
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3:24 PM on June 19, 2018 
There is no safe place in this world. We must always be on guard for our safety. It would be a great help to always bring a whistle and a pepper spray because you would never know when trouble is going to come. Also, if you notice someone following you, it is best to have an eye contact with him. That way you let him know that you know how he looks like and it would be easier for you to describe him to a police officer.
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2:38 PM on August 10, 2018 
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Reply Maria
7:53 AM on December 23, 2018 
It is very important to keep this in mind for us to be aware of the issues happening in our environment.

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