Citizens Police Academy session opens for 15th year; Sheriff says department at a top professional level

Sheriff James Pohlmann addresses the opening night of the latest Citizens Police Academy.

Capt. Charles Borchers in front of a large audience of participants at the Citizens Police Academy class.

Sheriff James Pohlmann told a new class of the Citizens Police Academy that because of St. Bernard’s relatively small size, “Some might believe we are Mayberry.’’

The reference was to the sleepy town of fictional Mayberry, N.C,, and its two-man Sheriff’s Office force of Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife from the old “Andy Griffith” TV show of years ago.

But Sheriff Pohlmann assured the class of more than 35 parish residents on its first night of a new session that, “We are not Mayberry.’’

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is a professional law enforcement agency with well-trained and equipped officers using the latest technology to fight crime, he said. Nearly all the members of the senior command staff are graduates of the well known FBI National Training Academy in Virginia, an enviable statistic for any law enforcement department.

The sheriff said the department has come a long way, referring to the day 31 years ago when, as a young basically untrained deputy, he was given the keys to a police unit and put on the streets to patrol St. Bernard, the sheriff said.

“Things have changed’’ so much over the years, he said, inclyduing an emphasis on hiring the best people, training and equipping them.

Participants in the Citizens Police Academy class “will hear about things you may never have dreamed of,’’ about this department and how advanced it is, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

He said the Sheriff’s Office continues to have a good relationship with residents who have shown a willingness to cooperate by making timely calls to the department if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.

“And we back that up with a quick response time’’ when calls come in.

The sheriff acknowledged “everyone is concerned about drugs’’ in society because, like everywhere else in the country, they exact a toll on a community, with the majority of property crime driven by drug abusers stealing to get money for their next high.

Some people ask what is different between now and before the parish’s devastation by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he said. One fact he acknowledges is, “We lost a lot of good people from this parish who moved away’’ after the storm and “have kept some of the bad.’’

But there are still many good people in the parish and many who have moved to St. Bernard since the storm are law-abiding ones who want a safe place for their families, he said,

As for numbers, while there are fewer people living here now, arrests some months are higher than comparable months before Katrina and the number of calls for service are sometimes just 10 percent less than before the storm, he said.

And the department has fewer employees than before the storm, which means their willingness to perform at a high caliber is so important, he said. And it is more vital than ever for residents to call the Sheriff’s Office at 271-2501 if they see anything in their neighborhood that looks out of place or in ny way suspicious.

Citizens Police Academy started in St. Bernard in 1999 and more than 600 parish residents have gone through the free 10-week course that involves meetings on Wednesday nights, with a graduation ceremony this year at the end of October.

Capt. Charles Borchers, who directs Citizens Police Academy assisted by Dep. Eric Eilers, said the class “isn’t designed to make you a police officer’’ but to foster good relations between the department and the community. It offers insights into police work here and allows participants to get answers to questions about their parish. Many who take the sessions say they are looking for more information about how the parish works.

Borchers can also be called at 278-7628 if anyone wants to start a Neighborhood Watch program on their street, if they are interested in being considered for the sheriff’s Reserve Division or to receive information about the annual Night Out Against Crime celebration coming up in October.

Maj. David DiMaggio, head of training for the department, also spoke on the increased emphasis on training since Sheriff Pohlmann took office July 1, 2012, and he described the application and hiring process to become a sheriff’s deputy.

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Annual Day of Reflection held at Chalmette High marks 9th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and parish’s rebuilding since then, including school system

Chalmette High’s new gym was filled with St. Bernard Parish residents, elected officials and visitors Friday for the Annual Day of Reflection breakfast, marking the 9th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact on the parish on Aug. 29, 2005.

Striking the theme of continued rebuilding since the storm, Superintendent of Schools Doris Voitier noted the parish has much to be proud of, including its teachers and school administrators, continued improvement on state testing by students and the support of the community.

Shown is the entrance of the Chalmette High JROTC for the presentation of colors and playing of the National Anthem. Also, Voitier addresses the audience of several hundred from the podium as her image is projected on a screen.

Sheriff James Pohlmann is shown listening to speakers. Also, representatives of the Sheriff’s Office share a table. Clockwise from left are Maj. Adolph Kreger Jr., Director of Administration John Vickers, Capt. Walter Dornan, Maj. David DiMaggio, Col. David Mowers, Maj. Pete Tufaro, Maj. Mark Poche, Maj. Mitch Roussell, Maj. Chad Clark and Maj. Robert McNab,

Also, another table includes, from left, William Bergeron, Roland Bergeron III, Assessor Jaylynn Bergeron turner and from the Sheriff’s Office Joseph DiFatta, Lt. Robert Broadhead, JoAnn Lane and Jackie Lucia.

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Fourth arrest made in Aug. 25 robbery of Chalmette pharmacy; He is alleged to be the driver of the getaway car

A man alleged to be the driver of a getaway car used in an armed robbery of a Chalmette pharmacy in the early morning hours of Aug. 25 has been arrested on the West Bank, the fourth arrest in connection with the crime, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

John Wilson, 27, of Gretna, was arrested on the West Bank Wednesday by members of the Criminal Intelligence Center Task Force in Jefferson Parish, the sheriff said. Wilson has been brought to the St. Bernard Parish Prison and is being held without bond pending an appearance before a judge.

Wilson was booked with armed robbery and three counts of aggravated kidnapping of three victims of the 4:30 a.m. robbery at the Walgreens pharmacy at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road in Chalmette.

Two armed men were caught at the scene by responding sheriff’s deputies within minutes and a third person, a woman who worked at the pharmacy and lived in Chalmette with one of the arrested men, was arrested the next day for allegedly helping plan and orchestrate the robbery. All, being held on the same charges of armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping, are jailed in lieu of bond.

Leonard Gibson, 43, is being held on $600,000 bond; Ben Amos, 27, is being held on $500,000 bond; and the store employee, Quinita “Peaches’’ Harris, 30, is being held on $250,000 bond.

The car believed to be the getaway vehicle was found at the home of Harris and Gibson on Octavia Street in Chalmette.

A revolver Gibson carried was found to have been reported stolen in Texas and he was booked additionally with possession of a stolen gun and with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the sheriff said. Gibson had served prison time in Texas on a burglary conviction.

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Sheriff’s Office and New Orleans police help facilitate National Guard at Jackson Barracks train to react to an active shooter on base

From left, New Orleans Police Sgt. Sherman Joseph, Capt. Jimmy Scott, head of the NOPD SWAT team; St. Bernard Sheriff;’s Office Maj. Mark Poche, head of the Special Operations Division; and Lt. Col. Kenneth Copple, deputy base commander, discuss the active shooter drill at Jackson Barracks.

Lt. Raymond Theriot, deputy director of training for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, helps Guardsmen with weapons safety checks for the active shooter simulation drill.

If an active shooter situation took place on the National Guard base at Jackson Barracks, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office and New Orleans Police would both be responding as the nearest police agencies.

So, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, both agencies helped facilitate training by Guardsmen for such a possible situation.

The men and women of the base – which is on the boundary of New Orleans and St. Bernard – practiced making entry into a building under simulated attack by armed intruders and taking necessary action.

Sheriff James Pohlmann wanted the Sheriff’s Office to be part of such training in case an active shooter situation did occur at the base, said Maj. Mark Poche, who heads the department’s Special Operations Division. Poche was on the base for the session, along with Lt. Raymond Theriot, deputy director of training for the Sheriff’s Office.

“They (the National Guard base) are a neighbor and we want to have a working relationship with them,’’ Poche said.

Because the base is so close to St. Bernard, the Sheriff’s Office would definitely respond to any active shooter situation that happened there, he said, so it is important the department be involved in training for such a possibility. “You have to make sure you are on the same page,’’ Poche said.

New Orleans police also took part in the drill at Jackson Barracks, represented by Capt. Jimmy Scott, head of the NOPD SWAT team, along with other police officers.

Sheriff’s deputies have been involved recently in several active shooter drills in St. Bernard, simulating responding to intruders in schools or other public buildings, under the direction of Maj. David DiMaggio, training director for the Sheriff’s Office.

The SWAT team has also trained in school buildings and public buildings including the parish Courthouse.

Sheriff Pohlmann has stressed that while hoping an active shooter situation doesn’t occur it is necessary to be prepared for worst case situations.

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An employee of a Chalmette pharmacy which two men tried to rob early Monday was arrested Tuesday for being part of the crime

An employee of a Chalmette pharmacy which two armed men tried to rob early Monday has been arrested for being part of the crime, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Quinita “Peaches’’ Harris, 30, an employee since May of the Walgreens at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road, was booked by sheriff’s detectives Tuesday with armed robbery and with aggravated kidnapping of three victims, Sheriff Pohlmann said.
Harris lives in Chalmette with Leonard Gibson, 43, one of the men arrested by sheriff’s deputies within minutes of them entering the store, the sheriff said. Also arrested was Ben Amos, 27, of Gretna. A third man who drove a getaway vehicle and dropped off the other two is being sought.

Both arrested men are being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison, Gibson in lieu of bond set at $600,000 and Amos in lieu of bond set at $500,000.

Harris, who wasn’t at work during the early morning robbery, helped plan and orchestrate the hold-up and was just as responsible as the two arrested suspects, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Deputies responded to a call about 4:30 a.m. from within the store about a robbery in progress and minutes later arrested one man as he went out a back door and the other after he ran out the front and was found hiding in a dumpster of a business across the street on Paris Road, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

He said an employee managed to call the Sheriff’s Office about the robbery shortly after the men came through the front door.

No one was injured and the only item stolen was a cell phone from an employee, which was recovered. Two guns, two bandanas they wore over their faces, gloves and wraps they were using to try to tie up the victims were also recovered, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Gibson and Amos were booked with armed robbery and with aggravated kidnapping of the victims. A revolver Gibson carried was found to have been reported stolen in Texas and he was booked additionally with possession of a stolen gun and with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the sheriff said. Gibson had served prison time in Texas on a burglary conviction.

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Sheriff’s deputies quickly arrest two armed men who tried to rob the Walgreens in Chalmette early Monday

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann has stressed quick response to timely calls is the backbone of parish law enforcement and that proved true again early Monday when two armed Gretna men were caught within minutes of trying to rob the Walgreens at Judge Perez Drive at Paris Road in Chalmette.

Deputies responded to a call after 4:30 a.m. from within the store about a robbery in progress and minutes later arrested one man as he went out a back door and the other after he ran out the front and was found hiding in a dumpster of a business across the street on Paris Road, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

He said an employee managed to call the Sheriff’s Office about arobbery in progress shortly after the men came through the front door.

“The call and the quick response by our officers prevented a possible hostage situation or worse,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Investigators believe at least one more person is involved because the men appeared to have been dropped off from a vehicle seen on a store surveillance system but no else entered the store.

Leonard Gibson, 43, who has served prison time for a burglary conviction in Texas, and Ben Amos, 27, both of 810 Fried St., Gretna, were arrested when deputies came in as the two had herded a customer and two employees into a back room, the sheriff said.

No one was injured and the only item stolen was a cell phone from an employee, which was recovered. Two guns, two bandanas they wore over their faces, gloves and wraps they were using to try to tie up the victims were also recovered, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Gibson and Amos were booked with armed robbery and with aggravated kidnapping of the victims. A revolver Gibson carried was found to have been reported stolen in Texas and he was booked additionally with possession of a stolen gun and with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the sheriff said.

Leonard was arrested carrying a weapon as he left out a back door and Amos ran from the front door but was caught in a dumpster of a business across Paris Road from Walgreens. He admitted he had left a gun on a shelf in the store, which was found, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Both men are being held in St. Bernard Parish prison and no bond has been set.

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Knights of Columbus donates $2,000 to Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division as part of more than $50,000 it gave to parish groups, churches, schools and individuals

The Knights of Columbus Archbishop Rummel Council 5747 in Chalmette has given a $2,000 donation to the Sheriff’s Office Reserve Division as part of more than $50,000 it gave to St. Bernard groups churches, schools and individuals.

The donations, given Aug. 24 at the Council’s monthly social, came from funds raised through the Knights of Columbus’ annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival held in Chalmette each Spring.

Grand Knight Cisco Gonzales said more donations will be made this year.

The money for the Reserve Division was given in recognition of the group of volunteers’ work providing security for the Crawfish Festival.

Capt. Charles Borchers, who heads the Reserve Division as part of duties that include directing Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office, thanked the Knights of Columbus on behalf of Sheriff James Pohlmann.

He said the Reserve Division, which has risen to about 30 members, is composed of St. Bernard residents who volunteer their time to supplement regular sheriff’s deputies at special events including parades, festivals and other activities in the parish.

The $2,000 donation will go toward training, purchasing uniforms and other costs associated with the Reserve Division, Borcher said.

Any parish resident who would like to apply for the Reserve Division can call Borchers at (504) 278-7628.

Others benefitting from donations by the Knights of Columbus included St. Bernard Church, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church and School, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the St. Bernard Parish schools’ special education programs, Lynn Oaks School, Project Graduation and several individuals.

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Two New Orleans men arrested when they returned to the scene of a crime at a Chalmette restaurant where earlier that day they stole 150 gallons of used cooking oil

Jason Allen, booked in Chalmette with theft of used cooking oil

Gregory Blanton, booked in Chalmette with theft of used cooking oil

Two New Orleans men apparently couldn’t resist returning to the scene of a crime at a Chalmette restaurant where earlier that day they stole 150 gallons of used cooking oil worth about $90, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Gregory Blanton, 43, and Jason Allen, 30, were booked with theft, criminal trespassing and criminal damage about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21 in connection with a theft at the restaurant earlier that morning, the sheriff said. They were also booked with attempted theft for the incident at the same place Thursday night.

Dep. Sheriff Skyler Rauch, while on patrol, saw them backing into the rear parking lot of a restaurant in a truck matching the description of one seen on a video surveillance system in a theft of cooking oil about 4:15 a.m, that day at the same restaurant.

He saw them Thursday night get out, grab tools from the truck bed that also had a pump and two containers, then they quickly got back into their vehicle and drove away. When the deputy stopped them their hands were covered in an oily, greasy-like substance.

Based on comments they made afterward, they may have stolen used cooking oil at two other St. Bernard businesses the same night, the sheriff said.

Used cooking oil, which can be recycled for other purposes, is worth about 60 cents a gallon.

The owner of the restaurant where they were seen on video stealing used cooking oil early Aug. 21 came to the scene that night and identified their vehicle and the men as the subjects seen in the video.

Both Blanton and Allen are being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $25,000 each.

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St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to conduct sobriety checkpoint in Chalmette on Friday night

A sobriety checkpoint will be conducted in Chalmette on Friday night, Aug. 22, by the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The checkpoint will take place for several hours but no specific times or place were identified.

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Deceased man found in a ditch along Paris Road on Aug. 7 has been identified and his relatives who live in a different state have been notified

A man found deceased in a ditch along Paris Road in Chalmette on Aug. 7 has been identified and his relatives who live in a different state have been notified, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The man, who carried no form of identification, was identified through finger prints as Stephen Somerville, 53, who had no permanent address and had apparently been staying outdoors.

Somerville was found in a ditch on the west side of Paris Road at Agriculture Road in Chalmette in an area north of Nunez College.

An autopsy found no trauma to the body but no specific cause of death was determined pending toxicology tests which take weeks for results, the sheriff said.

He also said there was no indication at the scene of foul play.

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