Archives: June2016

Impairment Suspected in St. Bernard Parish Fatal Crash

On July 6, shortly before 7:30 am, Louisiana State Police Troop B responded to a fatal crash in St. Bernard Parish on LA 46 near Francke Place. The crash claimed the life of 48 year old Alton Peters of Meraux.

The initial investigation indicated that Peters was driving a 2008 Infinity G35 west on LA 46. A 1997 Peterbilt tractor/trailer, driven by Lory Sandolph, 49, of Waggaman, was traveling east on LA 46. Sandolph observed the Infinity cross the center line into the east bound lane. Sandolph then began to maneuver the tractor/trailer to the right, off the roadway, in order to avoid a collision.

The Infinity struck the rear axle of the tractor/trailer. Peters was pronounced dead on the scene. Sandolph was not injured.

Impairment is suspected as a factor on the part of Peters and a toxicology test is pending an autopsy. Sandolph voluntarily submitted to a blood test and those results are pending. Peters was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Louisiana State Troopers wish to remind motorists that impaired driving continues to be a major problem throughout Louisiana. Whether impaired through alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, the consequences of driving while impaired remain the same. Making good choices while in motor vehicles such as never driving while impaired, always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained, and avoiding all distractions can often mean the difference between life and death.

St. Bernard residents can get extra sheriff’s patrols at their home while on vacation or otherwise away for an extended time; Call (504) 271-2501; Vacation crime prevention tips listed

Sheriff James Pohlmann reminds residents that before they leave town for an extended trip they should call the Sheriff’s Office at 271-2501 to get on the list to have extra patrols at their home by deputies.

“When thinking about the last-minute things you have to do before leaving, remember to call us for extra patrols,” Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“That information is kept confidential’’ and revealed only to the officers assigned to patrol the section where the caller lives, the sheriff said.

Residents should also leave a contact number with the Sheriff’s Office so a patrol deputy can call them if there is something wrong at a home,Sheriff Pohlmann said,  including non crime-related matters such as damage from a wind or rain storm.

Because St. Bernard has fewer residents than before Hurricane Katrina there are fewer eyes on the streets in some neighborhoods to watch for suspicious actions, Sheriff Pohlmann said. “That makes signing up for the extra patrols more valuable.’’

Capt. Charles Borchers, head of Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office including the Neighborhood Watch program, said the extra pass list has been used effectively for years and helps residents be assured their homes will have some extra protection while they are away.

Also, St. Bernard residents interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group in their area can call Borchers at (504) 278-7628.

Borchers said residents should consider the following crime prevention tips before leaving their home for trips:

• Lock up. While this might seem obvious, some people forget to lock their house completely while rushing to get away. Make sure all doors and windows are locked.
• Be careful who you tell that you plan to be away from your home. However, ask someone you trust to watch for anything unusual. Also, never leave a message on a phone voice mail system saying you are out of town because any caller would learn your house may be vulnerable.
• The same is true with social media. It is foolish to announce to everyone you will be going on a trip.
• Do whatever possible to create the appearance someone is home. Keep a vehicle in the driveway or out front of your residence. Maintain your lawn before you leave or have someone you trust mow your lawn while you are gone.
• Put outdoor lighting on either timers, light-sensitive photocell mechanisms, or motion detectors. Use timers to activate inside lighting, radios, or TVs. Use the fluorescent (cfl) light bulbs because they burn cooler than the standard light bulbs.
• Don’t let deliveries accumulate. If possible, ask someone you know to pick up mail, newspapers, packages and any circulars placed on your front door. Stop delivery of any newspaper if you can so they don’t pile up.
• Don’t leave keys under your doormat, flower pots or window ledges—intruders check these first.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed. Thick shrubbery and trees cover your windows, allowing burglars to work undetected.
• If you have a security system, ensure it is armed and provide instructions to the central monitoring station, – if you have one – to call your cell phone, the Sheriff’s Office and/or a particular friend, relative or neighbor if there is a problem.
• If your area has a Neighborhood Watch program inform its officials about your vacation plans.

Sheriff says department is prepared for hurricane season 2016 and residents are urged to do the same

Sheriff’s deputies train aboard department boats in preparation for any major rain or flooding event.	Thousands of sandbags prepared if needed.
Parish Prison trusties filling sandbags in case they are needed.	Sheriff James Pohlmann urges parish residents to be prepared for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 1.

It’s not a season like baseball in which a public figure throws out the first pitch to mark the occasion.

But hurricane season for Southeast Louisiana is more important than a game, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

It starts June 1, runs until Nov. 1, and with several major storms predicted this year it is time residents of St. Bernard and other parishes get ready to respond in case there is a storm that could force their evacuation or at least make preparations at homes or businesses.

Sheriff Pohlmann said it should be automatic by now for anyone who has lived in this area any length of time: When summer comes, be ready for hurricane season.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is prepared, the sheriff said.

The department has a plan in place, which includes boats at the ready, a high-water truck that would be ideal for rescue or to haul personnel or equipment to respond to rain events and thousands of sandbags already made for use by residents, businesses and parish government, the sheriff said.

“We intend to always be prepared for hurricane season,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. ““Remember, we are so close to the Gulf of Mexico you can’t ignore the possibility of a hurricane.”

“Since Hurricane Katrina’s destruction, the parish has been tested by other storms, including Hurricane Gustav in 2008 and Isaac in 2012,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “We did our best and came through them relatively well. Parish agencies worked well together.’’

Getting ready in advance is the key, the sheriff said.

“That’s true for every family in this parish,’’ he said. “Don’t wait until you hear a bad storm is approaching before you think about being prepared, such as whether or where you would go, if necessary,’’ he said.

“If you start to be prepared now, you avoid the rush at home supply stores and supermarkets which always get crowded and run out of things as hurricanes or tropical storms approach. Don’t wait until the last minute.”

“Give this some thought when you have a chance,’’ the sheriff said. “Think in advance about where you would go if an evacuation is called. Have things like flashlights and batteries, bottled water, medicines in places where you can easily find them if leaving becomes necessary.

“Stock up if you can afford it on things you would have to take if you left or would need if you stayed in a storm and lost electricity for more than a day.” Keep personal papers handy that you would want to have.

“Also, anticipate the needs of older relatives and decide what you would do with pets if you had to leave. The Louisiana ASPCA says pet-owners should never leave them behind when they evacuate because the animals would be at the mercy of the storm.’

As for the Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Pohlmann said, besides boats and equipment being tested, plans are in place to move prisoners if necessary. Departments within the Sheriff’s Office have a hurricane plan to follow.

Parish prisoners, using a system developed years ago, make sandbags in preparation for summer, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Acquired through a federal grant in 2013,, the Sheriff’s Office’ custom-built F-650 truck, which has a 37-inch lift and air brakes, is an important addition for hurricane season, the sheriff said.

The sheriff said, “It’s meant for high-water situations’’ such as street flooding from heavy rains and could be used for rescue and moving personnel and equipment to where they are needed in a storm.”

Also, members of the sheriff’s SWAT team train on various types of boats from the sheriff’s Marine Division in order to be prepared to immediately patrol neighborhoods in case of any type of rain event flooding.

“If parish government orders an evacuation of residents in any approaching storm we will facilitate that and then lock down the parish to prevent non-residents from entering,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

In the event of an ordered evacuation, he said he hopes residents would comply as they did in 2008. the last time it was necessary. because it reduces the need for search and rescue operations if there was actual flooding in a storm, he said.

In an evacuation, the Sheriff’s Office “would quickly return to law enforcement functions, including patrol by boats if necessary, to protect property in the parish,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “We don’t want residents making a bad decision to stay simply out of concern over a possible burglary.’’

He said St. Bernard residents with special needs in the event of an evacuation should register with parish government’s Office of Homeland Security and can reach the parish at (504) 278-4200.

Residents can also register for the parish’s FirstCall Emergency Notification Service which provides timely information about hurricanes and other high profile events occurring in the area. These alerts will go to landlines, cell phones, SMS text messaging devices, email and pagers. Residents can register on line at www.sbpg.net.

If ordered to evacuate, have cash to bring with you as well as several complete changes of clothing and footwear per person. Remember family members with special needs such as infants, elderly and disabled persons and pets.

Your disaster preparation list should also include:
• Can opener
• Three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Bedding or sleeping bags
• Fire extinguisher (small canister ABC type)
• Bleach (no lemon or other additives)
• Mosquito repellent
• First Aid kit
• Water (one gallon per person, per day)
• Eating utensils
• Tarp, rope, and duct tape
• Toiletries including toilet paper
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlights
• Sunglasses

For Baby — Bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, powdered milk and medications.

For Adults —Medicine, such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies and extra eye glasses.

For Pets—ID tag, photo of pet for identification purposes, weeks supply of food, medications, veterinarian’s phone number. Do not leave your pet behind. Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets. Check with hotels in safe locations and ask if you can bring your pet.

Entertainment —Books for adult readers and for children, board games and/or other games that do not require batteries or electricity.

Remember to keep important records in a waterproof, portable container, including:

– Inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone numbers.
– Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
– Important papers including insurance account numbers, checks and credit cards.