Aug 24, 2009 - It’s a win/win situation for St. Bernard Parish businesses when they register with the Sheriff’s Office’s free Business Watch program, which uses an identification decal on a storefront to know who to contact during an after-hours emergency.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said business operators can be assured the Sheriff’s Office will use contact information to reach them if they are needed to come out to secure their building after a burglary, act of vandalism, weather-related damage or an electrical outage that could affect a business’ perishable goods.

Registering for the Business Watch program makes it easier on business operators and for deputies on patrol who find a problem that must be dealt with, Pohlmann said. With a number of new businesses on track to open soon in St. Bernard Parish, a push is being made by the Sheriff’s Office to ensure all commercial enterprises, including any that are changing locations, register their contact information to keep the Business Watch program up to date. “If you have any type commercial storefront we want you to participate,’’ Pohlmann said. “We want to help businesses row and keep them safe and secure.’’

St. Bernard, which had more than 2,500 businesses before Hurricane Katrina, has built back to 600 and all of them should be a part of the Business Watch program in case anything happens after normal working hours. Business Watch was created by the Sheriff’s Office in the 1990s, part of the crime prevention program.

To register, business officials can call sheriff’s Crime Prevention Director Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628. Borchers said the Sheriff’s Office will come out and get contact information and place a decal on a business, giving it an I.D. number that is cross-referenced to an information sheet kept on file with the sheriff’s Communication Division.

A deputy on patrol who comes upon a burglary or other type problem at a business, calls in the I.D. number to the Communications Division which gets in touch with the business’ after-hours contact people and asks them to meet the deputy at the business to take actions needed to secure the building, Borchers said.

Capt. Billy Cure, who deals directly with companies in the Business Watch program, said “All information supplied is confidential and wouldn’t e released to anyone.’’ The latest business to register in the program was the Big Lots store that will open in September in a retail strip on West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. Borchers and Cure met August 21 with new store manager Joe Gioia, assistant manager Lorraine Spicuzza and Big Lots district manager Bob Borders and an I.D. decal was placed on the front door. “As a business we want to be aware as quickly as possible’’ if something happens at the store after regular hours, Gioia said.

Spicuzza said, “We want our store to be safe.’’

Aug 17, 2009 - A $76,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office will give the department a mobile crime scene vehicle for the first time since Hurricane Katrina and will contain the latest in technology and equipment for the identification and collection of evidence, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“This is an important advancement for us,’’ Pohlmann said. “It will make us current in the latest methods of identification and collection of evidence at crime scenes, such as fingerprints and traces of blood.’’

The Sheriff’s Office’s grant-writing team applied for the money that was recently approved by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. It’s part of the federal stimulus package from the President and Congress.

The type of vehicle to be used for the mobile crime scene hasn’t been chosen.  A mobile crime scene isn’t the same as a crime lab where the collected evidence is analyzed. This will be a vehicle equipped with the technology and basic equipment to process a crime scene, such as being able to find and collect items including minute evidence like partial fingerprints or small amounts of body fluids, all of which can help identify suspects in crimes. Camera equipment, an alternate light source, sexual assault kits, a crime scene table, and numerous other things would be kept in the vehicle, ready to be taken to a crime scene. The Sheriff’s Office had a mobile crime scene before Hurricane Katrina but it was destroyed in the storm. Since then, department investigators have carried equipment in various vehicles, often in trunks.

Chief of Detectives John Doran said a replacement mobile crime vehicle would “put us back where we were’’ before the storm with the advantage of bringing with it the newest technology. “We would be keeping pace with advancements,’’ he said.  “And it would make things easier for us. It would be in a mobile unit ready to roll,’’ Doran said.

Aug 14, 2009 - Four people were booked with attempted theft and trespassing when a sheriff’s deputy alertly noticed a vehicle being driven suspiciously slow and circling an area.  The deputy then watched the driver pull into a driveway and meet two men, with the officer breaking up a crime in progress, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Dabdoub, on patrol near the former St. Bernard Manor assisted living facility on Hannan Boulevard in Meraux the night of Sunday, Aug. 9, saw a vehicle with two people inside driving slowly, making several U-turns before pulling into a driveway at the now closed facility. When the officer illuminated the vehicle the two men in front of the car ran into the building.  Dabdoub arrested the two in the vehicle, James Sands, 26, and Amanda Batz, 21, both of Meraux, and found books, DVDs, tools, plates and clothing stacked up to be placed in the vehicle, apparently stolen from a building at the former assisted living facility.

The two who fled were later arrested separately as they walked on East St. Bernard Highway near Hannan Boulevard. They were Thomas Sands, 24, of Bloomington, Ind., and Thomas Pete, 26, of Meraux. Thomas Sands admitted to officers he had been on the scene and fled when he saw the sheriff’s vehicle.

All four were booked with attempted theft and criminal trespassing and placed in St. Bernard Parish Prison. The four have since been released on bonds.

Glenn M. Marino

Aug 13, 2009 - A Metaire man who works in Chalmette was booked with stalking a Chalmette woman after he allegedly followed her twice and was seen taking photos of her both times, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Glenn M. Marino, 49, 5017 Utica St., Metairie, who didn’t know the woman who was followed, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 12, and is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of a $15,000 cash bond ordered in his case. The 32-year-old woman, alleged she was followed from a Chalmette grocery store to her home’s driveway several weeks ago and apparently followed her several days ago to a Chalmette pharmacy parking lot.  She identified Marino from a photo lineup as the man she saw taking photos of her both times. She was able to get the license number on his pickup truck the second time. 

After reporting the incidents and giving the license information to authorities, it was determined the vehicle was registered to Marino and a criminal records check showed he had previous arrests in a past incident for attempted rape and kidnapping.  While he wasn’t prosecuted on those charges, Marino was convicted of battery in that incident.

Before Marino was found by sheriff’s deputies to be interviewed, someone at the pharmacy involved alerted the Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 12 that the man was back in the parking lot.  A responding deputy detained Marino at the scene and found a camera in his vehicle. When interviewed by sheriff’s detectives, Marino acknowledged he often parked in the pharmacy lot during his lunch hour and said he took photos of the front of the business with a digital camera and a cell phone camera to compare their resolutions, then downloaded them onto a computer. Detectives booked Marino on the stalking charge, which is a felony, and also obtained a search warrant from a judge to search electronic devices found in Marino’s vehicle.
 

Sgt. Richard Barr of the Sheriff’s Office holds the Lifesaver Award he received from Sam Catalanotto of the Kiwanis Club.

Aug 9, 2009 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Dep. Sgt. Richard Barr, sent to a Chalmette residence the night of April 23 on a call of a missing 20-month-old boy, said he was trying to methodically exclude places the child might be when he jumped into a murky swimming pool in the backyard of the family’s home, near 11 p.m. “The water was cloudy,’’ said Barr, who has been associated with the Sheriff’s Office since 1979 when he was first employed there. “I couldn’t see the second step of the pool.’’ He went in to eliminate all places the child might be in the immediate area and then expand the search from there, he said. The pool was in the 3600 block of Palmisano Boulevard.

To his horror, almost immediately after going into the pool Barr felt something and realized it was the child, whom he carried out of the pool, giving him to Fire Department personnel and paramedics who were there. “They did everything possible,’’ Barr said. “We didn’t save his life. I wish we could have.’’ The veteran officer said he was emotionally affected by the experience.

The boy, Jamil Attalah, was unresponsive when found and was pronounced dead about midnight at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. He apparently slipped out of a bedroom after being placed in a bed to sleep and left the home unnoticed by other adults and children who were there. Family members called authorities when he was noticed missing.

Barr described the incident on Tuesday, Aug. 4, when he was honored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi, who gave him its Lifesaver Award. The honor is “in recognition of his courageous service to our community,’’ said Chalmette businessman Sam Catalanotto, chairman of the Lifesaver Award committee. The Kiwanis Club President is Judge Robert Buckley. Barr was recognized in ceremonies at a luncheon at Rocky & Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette. Sgt. Barr, after starting with the Sheriff’s Office in 1979, left the department in 1984 to start a business but later returned in 2000 and has been there as a deputy since. The deputy said he felt honored to receive the Kiwanis Club award, but said work done by the Sheriff’s Office and parish Fire Department is a “collective effort’’ to help St. Bernard.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department is grateful to the club. “First-responders don’t always get the recognition they deserve, so this is appreciated,’’ Pohlmann said. Maj. Mark Poche, Chief of Field Operations for the Sheriff’s Office, also attended.  The award was suggested by Catalanotto in the 1990s as a means to honor sheriff’s deputies and parish firefighters. “It’s an award of recognition for the jobs sheriff’s deputies and firefighters do,’’ said Catalanotto. “It’s meant to say ‘thank you’ for being the first ones to put their lives on the line for us.’’
 

Aug 9, 2009 - Rose Bienvenu has moved from one part of Arabi to Terry Drive and said the get-together she and neighbors had Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the home of Chris and Mary Sanmarco to celebrate the National Night Out Against Crime was a a good way to strengthen neighborhood bonds.  “The first year (in a different neighborhood after the hurricane) you don’t know everybody’s name,’’ said Bienvenu, sitting in a driveway at 804 Terry Drive where dozens of people mingled for the Night Out Against Crime party. “The second year you remember most people and by the third you know everyone.’’ By getting together on a block you learn who should be there and after that it’s easier to tell if you see someone who doesn’t look like they belong and may be a little suspicious, she said. Rosemary Gioia and neighbors who held an outdoor party in the 2900 block of Golden Drive in Chalmette, said she wants to hold such get-togethers  because, “I think its important for neighbors to get together to form a cohesive bond so you are familiar with one another and know who belongs there.’’

Across St. Bernard Parish, hundreds of people gathered at more than 35 parties marking National Night Out Against Crime, at which sheriff’s deputies attended to give crime prevention tips and answer questions.  It was the third year since the hurricane that the Sheriff’s Office has participated in the national event. And residents seemed hungry for information about how to combat crime in St. Bernard and suggestions on how they can help. Sheriff’s deputies continually hit on one theme: don’t hesitate to call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 if you see something that seems suspicious or just doesn’t seem right. No one will be criticized if it turns out to be nothing because the Sheriff’s Office would rather be safe than sorry, deputies told residents.  
Sheriff’s Deputy Terry Meyer talking with residents at a party on Terry Drive in Arabi

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said at one party, “I feel we are winning the fight against crime and can continue to do so with the help of alert residents who call the Sheriff’s Office in a timely manner. Don’t wait an hour after you see something before you call.’’ Pohlmann, and Col. Chad Clark, head of the Special Investigations Division that includes the Narcotics Unit and Street Crimes Unit, attended numerous parties together to address issues of crime, drugs and the connection between the two. Drug arrests mean those people aren’t on the streets to commit burglaries and thefts to get the money for more drugs, they said, adding if you put a dent in the drug trade you stop property crimes as well. Clark said it’s important for residents to report suspected drug activity by calling the Sheriff’s 271-DOPE hotline. All tips will be checked out and remain anonymous, Clark said. “Drug dealers need to go to jail. Users need help,’’ Pohlmann said. “You can’t just arrest yourself out of the drug problem.’’

Capt. Charles Borchers, crime prevention director for the Sheriff’s Office and head of the Neighborhood Watch program, said the parish continues to see an increase in residents having parties for the Night Out Against Crime. “People are focusing on neighborhood safety,’’ Borchers said. “There’s an awareness of what’s happening in neighboring parishes and they don’t want that in St. Bernard. They are asking themselves what can they do to keep this a safe place.’’ “And we at the Sheriff’s Office want to work hand-in-hand with the people and we think participation by the public in such things as National Night Out Against Crime, Neighborhood Watch and the Citizens Police Academy offered by the Sheriff’s Office is a show of their support to work with us,’’ Borchers said.

Aug 4, 2009 - What began as a Sheriff’s Office investigation of water being stolen from parish government at a residence led to the recovery of $50,000 worth of stolen motorcycles and a boat, as well as the arrest of two men booked with possession of stolen property, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Brad Daigrepont, 31, and Jon Marchese, 33, both of 3613 Karen Drive, Chalmette, both of whom were out on bonds from recent unrelated arrests, were booked Wednesday, July 29, with five counts of possession of stolen property and are being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bonds of $43,500 each. Sheriff’s deputies were called to 3613 Karen Drive by the parish Water Board July 29 over an alleged theft of utilities. Water had been turned off at the residence by the parish but service had illegally been hooked back up by someone who bypassed the water meter with a straight pipe to feed the house water. There was no response at the door but deputies determined a license plate on a motorcycle at the residence had been reported stolen in New Orleans in June. Sheriff’s detectives were then called to the scene.

Pohlmann said when detectives an investigation determined that a 21-foot fiberglass boat, motor and trailer in a yard at the residence had been reported stolen along with several motorcycles. The estimated value of the stolen goods was $50,000. When a search warrant was obtained and the residence entered, both Daigrepont and Marchese were found hiding inside.

Daigrepont was free on a $35,000 bond at the time of the arrest, having been booked June 25 by agents of the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division with possession of methamphetamine, possession of hydrocodone and possession of stolen things, as well as resisting arrest. Marchese was out on a $10,000 bond from a June 13 arrest on possession of stolen property.

Aug 4, 2009 - Fresh from an overwhelming response to the first Sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy since Hurricane Katrina, which graduated in April, registration is now being held for a new free 8-week class scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Nunez Community College. The class includes information on all facets of the Sheriff’s Office and the criminal justice system and for the first time this year included boating safety tips, hands-on use of equipment including a firearms simulator that had citizens decide whether they would use a weapon in certain situations, as well as a SWAT Team equipment demonstration. All of that will be included again in the class which starts Sept. 2 and runs until early November, along with a field trip to the adult Parish Prison to tour the facility.

Hundreds of St. Bernard Parish residents are alumni of the Citizens Police Academy, which was started in the early 2000s and is geared toward fostering good rlations between the community and law enforcement. More than 50 people signed up for the class that graduated in April. “It was an overwhelming response,’’ Borchers said of that class. “We believe the interest shown warrants a second class this year.’’

To register, St. Bernard residents can call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628. Borchers coordinates the classes for the Sheriff’s Office as part of his duties as head of Crime Precention and Neighborwood watch programs. Several people have signed up already. Borchers hopes to have more than 30 people registered for the latest class.

Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said the first citizens class since the storm was particularly successful and predicted the members “will become ambassadors for law enforcement in St. Bernard Parish.’’ Pohlmann encourages participation in the Sept. 2 class. “We want our residents to know what is going on with our department and be part of the effort to keep St. Bernard a safe community.’’ The Citizens Police Academy gives people a vested interest in what happens in the parish.

David Welker, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Louisiana, was special guest speaker at the graduation exercise for the class in April, saying the group had “a wonderful show of support for your community. I applaud your participation.’’ Welker, a former police officers before joining the FBI and now heads the federal agency in Louisiana, said the Bureau relies on cooperation with local agencies such as he St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office.

Aug 4, 2009 - For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, Sheriff Jack Stephens, in partnership with the Southeast Louisiana Council of the Boy Scouts, was able to sponsor teenage and pre-teen boys for participation in the 15th annual Sheriff’s Camp Program, held at Camp V-Bar near Kiln, Miss.

Five St. Bernard Parish boys took part in July at the camp, which is a collaborative effort between the 11 sheriffs of Southeast Louisiana and the Boy Scouts of America. The aim is to blend outdoor experience, education, ethics instruction, leadership development and values-building to combat the causes of violence and crime in at-risk neighborhoods. “We wanted to reach out to those boys who could benefit the most from a positive experience in the outdoors and positive association with law enforcement,’’ Sheriff Stephens said.

Working with St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies who attend the camp and others, the boys took part in activities including archery, swimming, camp-fire building, and learned instructional skills with a goal of developing self-reliance and the means to handle conflict resolution so they can become productive citizens of St. Bernard. The camp is open to those 11-15 years old.  

Boys who participated included Cody Abram, Cantrell “Ray”” Peters, Jaleal Mullen, Jerron Johnson and Yancy Aisola Jr. Sheriff’s Office employees who participated included Sgt. John Edwards, Cpl. Warren Chamborn, Dep. Louis Mowers, Dep. Paul Dantoni and Yancy Aisola Sr., community outreach worker.

Aug 4, 2009 - Sheriff’s narcotics agents seized nearly three ounces of crack cocaine worth $6,000 with the arrest of one man and more than $1,200 in heroin with separate arrests of two men.  All the arrests were made by agents of the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division, which is the Narcotics Unit and Street Crimes Unit.

Acting on information that a Violet man was bringing large amounts of crack into St. Bernard, agents found Kerry Major, 22, 3005 Daniel Drive, on Wednesday, July 29, and seized nearly three ounces in large chunks of crack cocaine, worth about $6,000. He allegedly had been selling crack in front of his mother’s residence. Major was booked with possession of crack with intent to distribute, possession of a small amount of marijuana and resisting arrest. He was wanted on arrest warrants issued in New Orleans. Major was released on bond after his arrest but the amount wasn’t available.

In a separate case, sheriff’s agents arrested Jon Hogan, 32, 2420 Victor St., Chalmette, on Monday, July 27 and seized more than 4 grams of heroin, worth an estimated $825, the sheriff said. He was booked with possession with intent to distribute heroin. Hogan, being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $26,000, was investigated after agents received a call on the Sheriff’s Dope Hotline, at (504) 271-DOPE. A search allowed by the owner of Hogan’s residence turned up the heroin.

Also Darion Tinson, 26, 2339 Urquhart St., New Orleans, was booked Thursday, July 30, with possession with intent to distribute 2.2 grams of heroin with an estimated value of $425 after he was caught making an illegal turn in traffic in Chalmette and the drugs were subsequently found. Tinson has been released on bond but the amount wasn’t available.

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Jack Stephens said narcotics enforcement remains a top priority and a means to hold down violence among those who would fight over its sale.