Crimestoppers GNO partners with the FBI and Sheriff Pohlmann to host a second area-wide pool tournament in Chalmette to bring together law enforcement officers

Without question, Lacy’s Cue in Chalmette will be the safest place in the New Orleans area the night of May 15 as some 90 federal agents, sheriffs, police chiefs and other cops gather for a second annual law enforcement pool tournament to build relationships between area-wide agencies.

Police from more than 20 agencies participated with numerous other officers attending the event when held in May of last year at Lacy’s on West Judge Perez Drive and similar numbers are expected again.

Crimestoppers GNO will partner with the FBI and Sheriff Pohlmann to host the second area-wide pool tournament in Chalmette to bring together law enforcement officers. Syarting time is 6 p.m. at Lacy’s Cue.

“It was a great turnout and a big success last year,’’ said Darlene Cusanza, President and CEO of the nonprofit group Crimestoppers, adding it was a fun way for law enforcement to network with each other and Crimestoppers. “More than 90 officers took part and agencies had a chance to meet each other.’’

Michael Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI office in New Orleans since 2012, was one of the driving forces in suggesting an area-wife law enforcement pool tournament last year as a means for cops to get together socially.

Anderson, who played in the tournament and said he has played pool since 12 when he began with his father and brother, said the evening was exactly what he had in mind as a way for officers to meet and talk.

“In this type of event there is a lot of time for people to mingle,’’ which promotes agencies being able to work together, Anderson said.

A team composed of one person from the FBI and one from the Orleans Criminal Sheriff’s Office won the tournament last year.

Sheriff James Pohlmann, whose St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office had numerous employees participate in the tournament, said the event is a good way to meet other officers from federal, state and local agencies.

“Criminals don’t worry about boundary lines separating parishes,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “A bad guy from one parish can commit a crime in another. So it’s important law enforcement can work together on matters that cross jurisdictional lines. When law enforcement officers from various agencies meet in a casual atmosphere it fosters better cooperation.’’

He added, “It is always easier to deal with people you have met and spoken with before.’’

Plus, Sheriff Pohlmann said, the pool tournament is a good way to feature Crimestoppers “because that group has been so important in helping law enforcement through its program of offering cash rewards for tips on criminal suspects, which has led to so many arrests over the years.’’