St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, Crimestoppers and the FBI to host an area-wide law enforcement mixer pool tournament in Chalmette on May 8 to foster good cooperation between agencies
FSheriff James Pohlmann and Darlene Cusanza, CEO of Crimestoppers, shown at a Crimestoppers fundraiser in 2012, are two of the hosts, along with the FBI, of a pool tournament being held as a mixer for law enforcement agencies.
The event will be held at 6 p.m. at Lacy’s Cue on West Judge Perez Drive.
Michael Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI office in New Orleans, and Darlene Cusanza, executive director of the non-profit group Crimestoppers, announced the tournament in collaboration with Sheriff Pohlmann.
Anderson, who suggested the holding of the event and said he hopes to play, emphasized it would be a chance for area law enforcement officers to get together in a social setting. It is important to have such close-knit law enforcement partnerships in the community, he said. He has been head of the FBI’s New Orleans office since 2012.
“I started playing pool with my father and brother when I was 12 years old, and found it to be a wonderful platform to have lively and spirited conversations while enjoying a really fun activity,’’ Anderson said in a statement. “Over the next 30 plus years, pool has always offered that same dynamic for me with all sorts of other pool players across the country. As much as I also enjoy golf and many other outdoor activities, I believe pool can deliver even more bonding opportunities given the close quarters of a pool hall with a large number of players and supporters.
“So, I was very excited to see if a metro New Orleans pool tournament with local, state and federal law enforcement could achieve similar bonding results,’’ Anderson said. “Of course, this event could not develop beyond the idea stage without the tremendous contributions of Crimestoppers, Sheriff Jimmy Pohlmann, Lacy’s Cue, and all of our participating agencies and departments.”
To help people from different agencies work together, Anderson said, it was decided to hold a double elimination, blind draw of partners doubles, rather than singles, 8-ball tournament. Both men and women will compete. The format “will maximize player participation, facilitate the mixing of department personnel and emphasize camaradarie over cut-throat competition,’’ Anderson said.
Sheriff James Pohlmann said he is pleased the get-together is being held in Chalmette. “I am all in favor of law enforcement officers from various agencies having a chance to meet in a casual atmosphere and get to know each other because it fosters better inter-agency cooperation,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “That would be important in cases we need to work together on that go across parish lines.’’
“It is always easier to deal with people you have met and spoken with before.’’
Plus, Sheriff Pohlmann said, anything that helps feature Crimestoppers is good “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.’’
Several Sheriff’s Office employees will participate in the pool tournament.
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