Community involvement like taking the Citizens Police Academy course plays integral role in crime-fighting and establishing a bond with parish law enforcement

Rafael Goyeneche III, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission in New Orleans, was guest speaker for the graduation.

Sheriff James Pohlmann addresses the graduates.

Rafael Goyeneche III, President of the 64-year-old citizens’ organization the Metropolitan Crime Commisssion in New Orleans, lauded members of the 18th graduating class of St. Bernard’s Citizens Police Academy for taking time to learn about law enforcement and said such community involvement is crucial in crime-fighting and establishing a bond with police.

“I can’t commend you enough for this,’’ Goyeneche said of the 30 graduates who took the Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academy which shows how law enforcement works in St. Bernard and seeks to better communications between the community and police.

“You have given your time over 10 weeks to learn about the Sheriff’s Office in your parish,’’ Goyeneche said at the Oct. 26 graduation, and are now in a position to offer a certain perspective about it to relatives and friends.

It is community awareness and involvement that helps fight crime and builds a bond with law enforcement, said Goyeneche, 27 years head of the Crime Commission which has spawned investigations into corruption and government waste over its years.

Sheriff Pohlmann told graduates that he hoped they learned insight into how law enforcement and parish courts works in St. Bernard Parish.

The men and women of the Sheriff’s Office are well-trained and backed by the latest technology in areas such as communications, weapons and innovations such as a bomb robot to inspect suspicious items, the sheriff said.

“I would stand our Sheriff’s Office up to any in the state,’’ he said.

This is a parish “where people will pick up the phone and report something that doesn’t look right to them,’’ he said which leads to arrests.

“It makes it a safe community when citizens get involved,’’ the sheriff said.

Capt. Charles Borchers, who coordinates the Citizens Police Academy with Dep. Eric Eilers, reminded residents they can sign up for the next free Sheriff’s Office program – Refuse to be a Victim – which is being held Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sheriff’s Office Training Center at 2118 Jackson Ave. in Chalmette, immediately behind the Parish Courthouse. It is in the same building as the Assessor’s Office.

To sign up, call Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Eilers at (504) 278-7799.

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St. Bernard Drug Round-Up

Sheriff’s Office rounding up people they have arrest warrants for who sold narcotics during an undercover operation

Agents with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division began Thursday morning rounding up more than 20 men wanted on warrants for selling narcotics during a months- long undercover investigation primarily in the Violet area, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

The arrests involve distribution of crack cocaine and heroin, the sheriff said.

The undercover operation began after the Sheriff’s Office began receiving information about an uptick in the dealing of crack cocaine, which had been rare for a while, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

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Nineteen people arrested in drug-dealer round-up primarily involving crack cocaine with some heroin also; Eight others are still wanted

Sheriff’s deputies crash through a door in Violet to arrest suspects.

Prior to the round-up of wanted suspects, agents of the SID, from left, Jason Saltalmachia, Lt. Daniel Bostic and Agent Jonathan Smith go over the operation with officers from St. Bernard, State Police, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Outstanding Round up-pictures

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department, after receiving information that crack cocaine distribution was on the uprise, has arrested 19 people on Thursday and seek eight moré in a round-up that followed a months-long undercover investigation primarily in the Violet area.

“Crack cocaine distribution had not been a major problem in St. Bernard Parish in several years,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. But when the Special Investigations Division heard about crack being sold the department responded to eliminate distribution networks, the sheriff said.

“By trying to stamp it out you eliminate the likelihood that people will be killed in turf wars or during robberies of drug dealers,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Twelve men, four women and three juvenile males were arrested in a round-up that began before dawn and continued throughout the day. Twenty-five people were wanted in the drug round-up, with all but three cases wanted in the operation for crack cocaine distribution. Two others were for distribution of heroin and one one case involved pills. Two others were arrested during the course of the round-up on charges involving possession of marijuana and parole violation.

Agents of SID were helped by other agencies including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, State Police and the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force. The Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division is commanded by Col. Robert McNab and Capt. Ronnie Martin is Assistant Commander.

Those arrested are from Violet unless otherwise designated. Arrested for heroin distribution were Jonathan Green, 44,  and Terrence Grant, 36.

Arrested for crack distribution were three juvenile males whose names weren’t released because they are minors: Jason Blaise, 28; Melody Lafrance, 42; Allen Jones, 50; Ronald Jones, 24; Michael Bell, 63; Dwestley Ratcliff, 17; Tony Washington, 27; Deshawn Matthews, 46; Tammy Trice, 56, of New Orleans; Jocrisco Trice, 34; and Tedrick Hurts, 51, of Chalmette.

Also, Bryant Major, 44, was booked with distribution of pills, Kenneth Turner, no age available, was booked with possession of marijuana and Shawn Smith, no age available,  was booked with parole violation.

Those still wanted are: Tevin Harrison, 25; Jermaine Mitchell, 40; Jermone Frederick.31 Andre Major, 31; David Johnson, 44; Damien Landry, 24; Alvin Duplessis, 47; and Ikeria Narcisse, 23.

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Chalmette man booked with attempted burglary of two vehicles and other charges including damage to property as he tried to escape

A Chalmette man was booked with attempted burglary of two vehicles early Oct. 23, as well damaging property as he tried to escape and other charges, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Joshua Cassar, 24, 3300 Sinclair St., is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $25,000.

Cassar was spotted about 2 a.m. shining a flashlight into parked vehicles near his residence and pulling on door handles in an attempt to burglarize them, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

He was booked with two counts of attempted auto burglary, resisting arrest, criminal trespass as he ran away, criminal damage to property and possession of tools for crimes, which were two flashlights found on him when detained, the sheriff said.

Cassar said the flashlights on him weren’t his but couldn’t explain why he had them.

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Nearly 100 pounds of medications turned in during Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 22; To get rid of medications between Take-Back days call the Sheriff’s Office at 271-DOPE and they can be picked up

Sheriff James Pohlmann is on hand as a woman drops off medications to be destroyed.

A woman drops off medications during a Drug Take-Back event on Oct. 22 at a Sheriff’s Office station in Arabi. In the background is Capt. Pat Childress.

Several people who came to a Sheriff’s Office station in Arabi on Oct. 22 said they were glad to see the department holding a Drug Take-Back day because they didn’t know what to do with unwanted or expired prescription medications they had been holding for a period of time.

“I didn’t want to throw them away and have them fall into the wrong hands,’’ one woman said as she dropped off medications.

The Sheriff’s Office collected 97 pounds of medications during the drug take-back, Sheriff James Pohlmann said, adding he was pleased to prevent those drugs from ending up sold on the streets or in the hands of young people. The drugs will be incincerated in coordination with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

“This has been a highly successful program for us,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “The aim is to get rid of unused or no longer needed drugs from medicine chests so no one else finds them and uses them or sells them on the streets.’’

“And we don’t want them thrown down the toilet where they can end up affecting wildlife or seafood in marshes.’’

But Sheriff Pohlmann also said anyone who has unwanted or expired drugs to dispose of between Take-Back days can call the Sheriff’s Office at 271-DOPE, which is 271-3673, and they can be picked up by the Narcotics Division.

Also, remember to call the same drug hotline to anonymously report any suspected narcotics activity in St. Bernard Parish. All calls will be acted upon.

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Sheriff urges residents to be aware of a telephone scam in which a man threatens to immediately disconnect your electricity unless you pay a phony bill

Sheriff James Pohlmann is urging St. Bernard Parish residents to be aware of a telephone scam first reported Thursday in which a man threatens to immediately disconnect your electricity unless you pay a phony bill.

Two separate complaints were made in St. Bernard by a school and an individual in which a man had called and threatened that workers with Entergy were on utility poles prepared to disconnect their electricity for alleged unpaid bills, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The person directs the receiver of the call to immediately go purchase a pre-paid debit card to make a large payment on a phony bill, the sheriff said.

“Don’t fall for this,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Don’t go give your money to them.’’ Hang up and report it to the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, he said.

Anyone with information about who is behind the scam should call the Sheriff’s Office or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

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Turn in unused or unwanted prescription drugs at Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Sheriff’s Office sub-station at 7001 West Judge Perez Drive at Aycock Street in Arabi

Sheriff James Pohlmann is reminding residents of St. Bernard and other parishes they can turn in unused or no longer needed medications in Arabi this Saturday to keep them from falling into the hands of young people or those who might sell them.

All medications will be accepted Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office sub-station at 7001 West Judge Perez Drive at Aycock Drive – near the Orleans Parish line – on National Drug Take-Back Day.

“This has been a highly successful program for us,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “The aim is to get rid of unused or no longer needed drugs from medicine chests so no one else finds them and uses them or sells them on the streets.’’

“Don’t let young people get hooked on pills they find while visiting you,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said, and “don’t throw medication in the garbage where it can be found or down the toilet where it can end up affecting wildlife or seafood in marshes.’’

“Instead, bring any medication you don’t use to us so it can be destroyed properly.’’

Last May, the Sheriff’s Office received a record 150 pounds of medications of all sorts during the last time a drug take-back day was held. The Take-Back Day is held in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Numerous groups got together in St. Bernard Parish for the Night Out Against Crime to show support for one another

Ward A Constable Mitch Perkins, Ward A. Justice of the Peace Kevin Hoffman, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Old Arabi Neighborhood Association President Mike Pechon and Parish President Guy McInnis at the Aycock Street Barn.	Sophia Dominick, at left in front, with friends neighbors and Sheriff Pohlmnann at her Night Out Against Crime party on St. Matthew Circle in Violet.
Families, including church members and neighbors, enjoy food and drink during the party.	Sheriff James Pohlmann with children outside a bounce house at First Pentecostal Church in Chalmette during a party for the celebration of National Night Out Against Crime on Oct. 18
Parish President Guy McInnis, Pastor Otto Martin and Sheriff James Pohlmann at the First Pentecostal Church community room in Chalmette for the Night Out Against Crime.	Residents at the party held at the Aycock Street Barn by the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association for the Night Out Against Crime event.

Five years ago Sophia Dominick began holding a neighborhood gathering to celebrate Night Out Against Crime from outside her home in the 2400 block of St. Matthew Circle in Violet.

That has grown into a large event moved to a circle in her street, where neighbors contribute to the food and drink and people mingle to talk.

“Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger. We pray here for our community, our police officers and for peace,’’ said Dominick.

Crime isn’t a big problem in the neighborhood and for that she is thankful and said she enjoys the party being a place where people can get together.

On Tuesday night, Oct. 18, just like Dominick, several hundred other St. Bernard Parish residents were attending a party to celebrate the National Night Out Against Crime.

Some were at homes, one was on the grounds of a Chalmette church, another under the open air of the Aycock Street Barn in Arabi, another at a lodge in Arabi. About 20 parties were held in Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux and Violet.

Sheriff’s deputies attended each event to give crime prevention tips and answer questions.

Sheriff Sheriff James Pohlmann visited a number of get- togethers, trumpeting the message that it’s the people of St. Bernard Parish who keep it a safe place by backing law enforcement and by being willing to call the Sheriff’s Office if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.

“We couldn’t do our job without you,’’ the sheriff said.

National Night Out has been celebrated more than 30 years around the nation.

For seven years, the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette has put out a bounce center for kids on their church grounds, opened their community room and thrown a party for members and neighbors of the church to get together on the night.

Pastor Otto Martin said the goal is to get people together to support one another and let them know they have something in common – wanting to live safely.

“We bring people together who might not otherwise meet and talk,’’ Martin said.

At the church on Palmisano at East St. Bernard Highway, Sheriff Pohlmann spoke to parents and children, congratulating the group for having such large participation each year.

He said he supports National Night Out Against Crime as a way for people with something in common – the desire to protect their neighborhood against crime – to get together and pledge to look out for each other’s property.

Sheriff Pohlmann said if something doesn’t look right to you, call the S.O. at (504) 271-2501 and you could be helping prevent a crime.

Parish President Guy McInnis also said it’s great to see a large group that obviously cares about its parish.

At the Aycock Street Barn in Arabi, the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association had a party for those who lived in the area.

Group President Mike Pechon said it was “an opportunity for the community to get together and do a little getting-to-know their neighbors.’’

National Night Out Against Crime is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and was introduced in 1984 to strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts.

The National Night Out campaign involves more than 30 million, including residents, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses and at military bases.

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Sheriff’s Office to have extra patrols for Halloween night and is giving safety tips for trick-or-treaters

As it has for years, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office will step up DWI and traffic enforcement on Halloween night, Oct. 31, for the protection of trick-or-treating children and adult party-goers, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“Motorists are asked to slow down, be extra cautious and be especially watchful for pedestrians,’’ the sheriff said.

He said there will be extra patrols on highways and in neighborhoods to enforce DWI laws and traffic laws. Drivers should also look for possible road blocks or barricades in neighborhoods. Don’t let children go around barricades, the sheriff said.

Capt. Charles Borchers, director of community relations and the Neighborhood Watch programs for the Sheriff’s Office, emphasized that, “Children and their parents who are trick-or-treating should be especially careful in areas where there are still vacant properties,’’ in St. Bernard Parish.

Here are some other Halloween safety tips offered by the Sheriff’s Office:

• Make sure children understand to never enter a stranger’s home, and when trick-or-treating is over no goodies should be eaten until they are taken home and sorted out to check that they are safe.
• Plan to wear costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flames. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Also, when shopping for costumes, wigs or accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame-resistant
• Secure emergency identification, such as your child’s name, address, and phone number, discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet. Consider using makeup rather than masks since masks can limit or block visibility.
• Provide each child with a flashlight or battery-powered lantern with fresh batteries.
• Always travel in groups and make sure a parent or responsible adult accompanies young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• Make sure children know their home phone number or a parent’s cell phone number and know to call 911 if they have an emergency or become lost.
• Only trick-or-treat in well-known neighborhoods at homes that have a lit porch light.
• Secure pets at home so they don’t get excited or run away when children come to your residence looking for treats.

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Special Investigations Division arrests couple and finds crack, powder cocaine, heroin, a stolen gun and $3,000 cash

Janice Johnson

Kentrel Richard

For the second time in a week, Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division agents have found crack and powder cocaine and a gun, this time along with heroin and $3,000 cash in the arrest of a couple, one of whom is a convicted felon, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Agents, acting on information, obtained a search warrant for from a judge for 2113 Gina Drive in eastern St. Bernard on Oct. 12.

Before they executed it, the couple who lived there drove off separately and were both stopped on traffic charges, the sheriff said.

The man who drove one vehicle, Kentrel Richard, 29, the convicted felon, didn’t have a valid driver’s license, and also had other infractions including an altered license tag. He was transported to St. Bernard Parish Prison.

Janice Johnson, 26, the woman who lived at 2113 Gina, was driving a vehicle with a two-year-old girl inside and didn’t have a proper child restraint. She also had warrants out for her arrest out of New Orleans and Gretna. Johnson was also transported to jail

Both were told by officers they had a warrant to search their residence.

Once in the home, Sheriff Pohlmann said, officers found 14 grams of powder cocaine, eight grams of crack cocaine, a handgun reported stolen in Jefferson Parish, some $3,000 in cash, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, the sheriff said.

Additionally, a search warrant was obtained for Richard’s vehicle, where a gram of heroin was recovered.

Total value of the drugs found was about $2,300.

Both the man and woman are being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison pending a bond appearance before a judge. Because Richard is a convicted felon on parole, a parole violation was also placed on him.

Richard and Johnson were both booked with possession with intent to distribute crack and powder cocaine, with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm in connection with controlled dangerous substances, illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a minor, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Richard was also booked with heroin possession.

They were both also booked on the violations involving their traffic stops.

Last week, SID agents arrested two brothers in Chalmette and seized crack and powdered cocaine, an assault rifle and a handgun.

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