Broadmoor Residents' Association - SAFETY AND SECURITY

Hello, I'm George Mermigas, the chairman of this committee. Our association by-laws state the following:
"The Safety and Security Committee shall coordinate the activities of the security patrol, provide a monthly report to the board, and implement other programs directed by the board".

Here are some recent items of interest regarding safety and security. Please read the suggestions at the bottom of this page, and save the Important Numbers for future reference.

Security Patrol - In May 2008, your board voted unanimously to pass a motion that will fund an hourly wage increase for our security patrol. The hourly rate for all neighborhoods in Baton Rouge that utilize this service increased from $20 to $25 on July 1, 2008. Rather than reduce the number and frequency of patrols, the board decided to maintain the present level of service and will fund the increase with money from cuts in other budget areas, fund raising programs, increased memberships, and donations. An expense item of $21,000 was budgeted in 2008 to hire off-duty police officers to provide these additional patrols in Broadmoor and it is our largest expenditure. These officers patrol all areas of Broadmoor in uniform and in marked police cars during daylight hours when many people are away from home and when most house burglaries occur. These same officers also cover Broadmoor on their regular shifts and are familiar with the neighborhoods.

Sgt. Darren Hunt - In November 2009, our Broadmoor Private Security Detail coordinator, EBR Police Sgt. Darren Hunt, was critically injured earlier in a motorcycle accident. He was at OLOL in ICU and on doctor induced life support for several weeks before being moved to critical care and then to Touro Infirmary in New Orleans for rehab. He was released from there on January 21st and was sent home to continue his therapy locally for another 6 months or so.

Thanks to everyone who donated blood and contributed to the fund created to assist him during this ordeal. More . . .

Neighborhood Watch - As of January 2010, our NW Progam is doing well in Phase III. Our volunteer Block Captains have visiting residents in the various neighborhoods to explain the program and asked for support and participation. Our 70 NW street signs were installed and yard signs and decals have been distributed to participants. Visit the Neighborhood Watch page for details.

Dial 3-1-1 System - Mayor Holden has asked that the following letter be made available to our readers. It explains EBR's 311 centralized reporting system for non-emergencies. You should continue to report all crimes or suspicious activities to the police by dialing 9-1-1.

Baton Rouge is a great place to live, work, worship, learn and play. Your entire City-Parish government and I are committed to maintaining and improving the great quality of life we all enjoy in our great city.

As part of our efforts to ensure a great quality of life, we have created a centralized reporting system whereby you can easily report non-emergency problems or concerns in your neighborhood by simply calling 3-1-1 on your telephone. Our operators will take your concern and relay it to the proper agency for action, who will then contact you about your concern. You do not need to call various departments searching for the right person to talk with - calling 3-1-1 is a "one stop" method to get answers or report concerns to your City-Parish government. Of course, please call 9-1-1 for any emergency needs.

This is just one way your City-Parish government is improving our technology and our ability to better serve you. We work hard every day to improve Baton Rouge and to protect our neighborhoods in particular. Your needs and the needs of your family are of great importance to me, and I will continue to bring innovation to East Baton Rouge Parish to better meet those needs.

Thank you for allowing me to be your Mayor-President. I love Baton Rouge and appreciate deeply the trust you have placed in me. Please know that my door is always open to you, and I will always help if I can.

What residents can do to prevent crime

Report All Suspicious Activities - At a recent board meeting a panel of Baton Rouge police officers provided a Resource Guide with phone numbers for police department contacts. They urged residents to report all suspicious activities in their neighborhoods, and to report all burglaries and other crimes, no matter how small. If they don't know about break-ins they cannot increase patrols and search for the culprits. Dial 911 for emergencies, and for non-emergenices call 389-2000.

Install and Use An Alarm System - One of the best investments a homeowner can make is the installation of a home security system that is monitored at a central station. Most vendors also provide the homeowner with window decals and a small yard sign as an additional deterrent to burglars. If you've been putting off the installation of a security system, take the time today to make appointments with a couple of vendors for a survey and estimate. Once installed, use your system. Arm the system when you leave home, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Beware of Strangers - A member reported that her purse and other valuables were stolen from her house while she was working in the yard. A stranger stopped in front of her house and asked for directions and while she was talking to the woman, an accomplice gained entry to the victim's house through an unlocked door. Beware of strangers. Keep your doors locked while working in the yard, visiting next door or walking the dog.

Lock Your Doors and Secure Outdoor Items - Unfortunately, two of the most frequently reported crimes are the easiest to prevent: 1) burglars entering homes with unlocked entrance doors; and 2) burglars walking way with tools and recreational items left unattended in yards or carports and in unlocked storage rooms or utility buildings.

Plan Ahead for Going Out of Town - Before leaving for a vacation or an out of town trip, arrange to have a neighbor pick up newspapers and your mail. Unfortunately, paper deliveries may continue even if you call to stop delivery. Don't advertise to burglars that you're away by leaving newspapers in the driveway and a mailbox stuffed with a week's mail. Invest in a couple of indoor light and appliance timers and use them to give the appearance that someone is at home. Music playing and bright lights are deterrents to break-ins. Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway to give the appearance of someone being at home. Don't tell people who don't need to know that you'll be away.

Car Break-Ins - Install and use a car alarm with ignition by-pass. Always lock your car and arm the alarm, no matter how briefly you'll be away from it. Don't leave valuables in your car, especially in plain view. Leave a light on in you carport or driveway at night.

Now that the price of gas has reached record levels, gas thieves are becoming more brazen. Many newer cars have locked gas caps, and if yours doesn't, you should consider investing in a good quality locking gas cap. Always park in a lighted area.

Start A Neighborhood Watch - Neighborhood watch, Block watch, town watch - whatever the title, this initiative is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of your children and the elderly and reduce fear and isolation. Civic involvement, collaborative problem solving and mutual commitment have helped cities and neighborhoods reduce crime by significant numbers.

Neighborhood watch forges strong bonds among residents. Watch groups create a sense of community and pride by forming a unified group of citizens dedicated to improving their neighborhood. Partnering with law enforcement, citizens become their eyes and ears. These groups also serve as an empowering outlet for victims of crime. It helps give victims a greater sense of control, ensuring that what happened to them will be less likely to happen to others. A neighborhood watch program can also be a springboard for many other efforts to address the causes of crime, reduce crime and improve neighborhood conditions. Visit this page to learn more about starting a Neighborhood Watch on your block.

Sexual Predators

We all love Broadmoor. It is our home. It is our safe haven. It is our community to watch children thrive in - to have a safe area to play in as they grow up. It is up to us, as neighbors and citizens to do our part to help maintain our atmosphere of comfort and safety.

We have all heard the news reports since the recent hurricanes about the sexual predators that have either relocated and/or their locations are not known to authorities. Even those that are officially registered and are being properly monitored live someplace - no neighborhood anywhere is exempt from that possibility.

It is up to us to know our neighborhoods, and to empower our children with knowledge of good safety habits. There are several web sites both national and state that are available free of charge that we adults can check for sexual predators, especially those convicted of sexual crimes involving juveniles.

familywatchdog.us - a nationwide site, with accurate local info

www.lsp.org/socpr/disclaimer.htmllasocpr1.lsp.org - takes you directly to the State Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry on the Louisiana State Police Site

Let's take that few minutes occasionally, as we're sending and checking our e-mail, to check these sites, to give our due diligence. It could make THE difference in a child's life. Let's be aware.

Links of Interest

Baton Rouge Police Department Homepage

Baton Rouge Police Department - Crime Statistics by District

Baton Rouge Police Department - Crime Maps by District - Click on District 3 to see Weekly Crime Reports

Baton Rouge Police Department - Safety Tips - This web site includes information in the following categories, plus lots of links: Personal Safety; On Foot; In Your Car; When Using Public Transportation; ATM Machine; Keeping Kids Safe; Make Sure Your Kids Know!; Safeguard Your Children; Home Alone! What Kids Should Know...; Safe at Home; For Apartment Dwellers; When You Go Away; Reducing Violence; Helping Victims of Crimes; Avoiding Fraud & Scams; Quick Tips; and Dialing for Your Dollars.

East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office - Crime Statistics

Crimestoppers

Safety & Security Committee

What residents can do to prevent crime

Sexual Predators

Links of Interest