Police Issues Top Haynesville Council
Agenda
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Council members
Joyce Major and
Rene Lincoln-Buggs presented three policy proposals for the police department
to the Haynesville Town Council for their consideration last Thursday, May
16. The policies addressed concerns about overtime pay, time
cards, cell phones, and uniforms.
The first
policy involved time cards and overtime. Lincoln-Buggs stated that 1) all
officers must clock in and out, 2) if an officer forgets to clock in or out,
they must notify the chief to explain—no exceptions, 3) no one should ever
write on time cards, 4) overtime must be approved by Chief, no exceptions, 5)
overtime is limited to 20 hours per pay period, 6) Chief will handle the
situation if additional work is needed, 7) an officer who has already
accumulated 20 hours overtime will be given compensatory time (K-time), 8)
K-time must be approved by Chief and at least one committee member (either
Lincoln-Buggs or Major), and 9) K-time must be taken within the quarter earned
or it is lost. Lincoln-Buggs said any officer writing on the time card other
than Chief will not be paid.
The cell phone
policy for the Police Department would be effective April 1, 2006. Each police
vehicle would be equipped with a cell phone. The phone would be free when
talking mobile to mobile. Cell phones would not be used for personal calls.
Officers would have to reimburse the town for personal calls. Lincoln-Buggs
said, "Personal use of cell phones is cause for termination."
Under the
uniform policy, the
town would furnish each officer the following: three shirts with patches, three
pairs of pants, one non-personalized badge, two pairs handcuffs with holders,
chemical spray with holder, and collar brass. Officers will purchase their own
uniform belt as these cannot be reused. The town will pay half the cost of one
pair of shoes each year.
Officers and
Chief will sign and date copies of policy and place in the employee's personnel
folder.
As for
compensatory time, Alvin Moss said, "K-time taken within the quarter—that
won't fly. That is time we are going to owe them. Period." Lincoln-Buggs said the Chief spoke with the
city attorney who said it was fine.
Majors added
that while in Baton Rouge, she learned that if a town has less than five police
officers, the town isn't required by the labor board to pay any overtime.
Lincoln-Buggs
agreed to get back with the Chief and confirm in writing what to do about
K-time. She will report back at a future council meeting for approval. She
said, "We don't intend to be unfair. We just want to make sure we cut the
overtime."
Police Chief
Anthony Smith addressed the Council about an ongoing problem with dogs. He
asked, "Where do we stand? Are we going to get a dog catcher?" Mayor Slaid
said the Council had to back off because of the expense.
Smith said
their main problem is contacting town employees on call to get the dog. His
officers do not have 30 minutes to wait for town employees to arrive.
Majors said,
"I think everybody should be held responsible for their dogs." Town
Clerk Penny Fields said the town has an animal control policy that should be
enforced.
Smith asked the
Council to clarify an issue regarding school crossing guard pay. Slaid said the town turned down a request to
contribute to crossing guard pay, noting that the guard is an employee of the
school board.
Smith asked for
comments on the list of fines presented at the last meeting and hopes to seek
approval for those fines at the next meeting. He also expects to present two
part-time and one or two full-time officers for approval.
NOTE: The
final part of the Council meeting included time for public comments addressed
to the Council. In view of problems The Guardian-Journal has had with getting
initial arrest reports from Haynesville Chief of Police Anthony Smith, Kathryn
Hightower, owner-publisher, and Susan Herring, editor, asked to address the
Council. A speaker is allowed 3 minutes. That part of the meeting was tape
recorded. Click Here to view a transcription of this portion of the meeting.
Arrests Made For Drugs, Stealing Fuel
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Three Arkansas
residents were arrested in Homer on Saturday, March 18 after driving off from
the Dixie Mart #1 on Hwy. 79 in Homer. Around 5 PM, Homer Police officers were
notified to be on the look out for a Black Mercury with Arkansas plates.
Officer Jim Faulkner spotted the vehicle and followed it to Handi Mart on Hwy.
79 and were observed entering the store.
The driver of
the car, Robert C. McEntire, 38, or Star City, Arkansas, and two female
passengers, Mandy Star McEntire, 26, or Star City, and Melissa B. Welch, 37, of
Little Rock, Arkansas, were asked to follow Officer Faulkner to the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff's Office.
Robert
McEntire's driver's license had been suspended, but he had identification. The
two females had identification cards only. After being advised by the Sheriff's
Office there was an outstanding warrant on McEntire from Georgia, he was
arrested. A search of his person revealed he had one .22 cal. mag. bullet in
his pocket and a loaded .22 cal derringer in the driver's door storage pocket.
In addition to the Georgia warrant, he was charged with driving under
suspension, possession/carrying firearm by felon, open container, possession of
marijuana, and theft of motor vehicle fuel. His bond was set at $13,500.
A search of the
vehicle uncovered two small bags inside a Marlboro package that appeared to be
marijuana. Welch admitted the marijuana belonged to her. Open containers of
alcohol were found in the front and back seats.
Welch was
charged with open container and possession of marijuana, with bond set at
$1,000. Mandy McEntire was charged with open container. Her bond was set at
$500.
Homer Police
are investigating a burglary at 310 Marble Drive in Homer. Officers Thomas
Davis and Ken Wood were dispatched to the residence around 7:30 PM on Thursday,
March 16 after Lenitra Adams returned home to find the back door open and
several items missing. Stolen included a Play Station 2 and a number of
electronic games and devices valued around $500 Officer Wood dusted the
residence for finger prints. Anyone with information on this crime, or any
other crime, is asked to please call the Homer Police Department at
318-927-4000.
On Wednesday,
March 15, off-duty reserve officer Ricky Bearden observed an abandoned vehicle
at the intersection of Mayfield and Pearl. He radioed Chief Russell Mills. They
discovered the vehicle was registered to Kimberly Givens of Homer, who stated
the car had been parked at her residence the night before. The back window had
been busted out. Officer Faulkner dusted the car for prints.
Information
from a concerned citizen led Chief Mills and Officer Wood to a car occupied by
three males. One of the occupants, Madison Dunn, 21, of Homer was arrested for
simple possession of marijuana and released on $500 bond.
Bench warrants
were served on Bruce Cooper, Jeraldo Curry, James Colbert III, and Carneshia
Brooks for failure to appear. All four paid their fine and were released.
Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest
Haynesville
Police Officer Quincy Williams and Sgt. John Barnett pulled over John R.
Grigsby, 41, of Haynesville at approximately 1:50 AM on Thursday, March 16 for
speeding on Hwy. 79 at McDonald Street. Barnett noticed a torn up brillo pad,
which can be used to make drug paraphernalia, in plain view. Grigsby consented
to a search of the vehicle. Officers discovered a bag of green leafy substance
believed to be marijuana in a CD case on the rear seat, a crack pipe on the
front seat passenger side in a cigarette pack, and a set of scales in a bag on
the back seat. Grigsby was arrested and charged with possession Schedule I CDS
(marijuana) with intent to distribute and five counts of possession of drug
paraphernalia. He was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center
where he was booked under $17,500 bond.
At
approximately 4:55 PM on March 16, Haynesville Police Chief Anthony Smith and
Officer Aaron Christian were on a traffic stop at the intersection of Alt. 2
and Camp Street, when a white Chevrolet pickup driven by Donnie Hanson turned the corner,
squealing tires, then sliding sideways to a stop. Hanson got out f his vehicle
and began yelling and cursing at officers. He was warned several times by
officers to stop but continued.. He was told he was
under arrest for reckless operation and interfering with officers. He refused
to be handcuffed and pulled his arm away. Officer deployed X26 Taser. Suspect
then verbally threatened officers, then complied and was
handcuffed.
Hanson, 47, of
Haynesville was charged with disturbing the peace, reckless operation of
vehicle and 2 counts resisting arrest (interfering and fighting. His bond was
set at $2,000.
—————
Sheriff's Deputy Makes Arrest
A routine
traffic stop on Sunday, March 19 by Deputy Paul Brazzel led to a drug arrest
according to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey. Brazzel pulled over Dwaun
Jarelle Harris, 20, of Springlake Road in Homer. After Harris exited the
vehicle, Brazzel found a dry, clear plastic bag on the ground. It contained a
green leafy substance which appeared to be marijuana. On the front center
console of the vehicle, Brazzel found a cigar containing a green vegetable
substance.
Harris was
placed under arrest and charged with possession of Schedule I CDS (marijuana).
He was read his rights then transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention
Center for booking, with bond set at $500.
Clean City Committee Chairman Pete Pearson,
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and Officer Rickey Bearden watch the crew work to tear down the house on the corner of North Main
and East 4th. James and Barbara McGowen purchased the property and are paying
to have it torn down with assistance by CCC.
Committee Works To
Clean City
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Members of the
Clean City Committee are committed to getting abandoned cars removed from sight
and dilapidated houses torn down, and they plan to move full speed ahead to get
the job done. Last week, the CCC assisted James and Barbara McGowen tearing
down the house they recently purchased on the corner of East 4th and North
Main. They have a list of houses they are working on, many in worse shape than
this house was.
Chairman O. P.
"Pete" Pearson said, "The problem is the town's ordinance."
The process is lengthy and complicated and makes it restrictive to move ahead
on many of these properties. They have mailed a number of certified letters.
Some owners have simply refused to pick up the mail and some have even disconnected
their phones. Committee member Lawson Guice believes about 60% of the property
owners live out of town.
The Committee
met last Friday and discussed asking the Town Council to consider revising the
ordinance. The suggested comparing ordinances in other towns
before making a recommendation. Homer Police Chief Russell Mills
attended the meeting and said he would do all he could to help. He suggested
they have some notices printed up with a summons at the bottom for his officers
to serve to have abandoned cars removed.
His officers could personally notify the owner, advising them they have
five days to comply with the Town ordinance, then come back and write a ticket
if they fail to move the vehicle.
Before
adjourning members discussed having a fundraiser, but decided to wait until
fall. Pearson said extra funds could possibly help them assist in the
demolition of these houses.
Committee
members present were Pearson, Guice, Patricia Jenkins, John Watson, Fannie
Dodd, Aileen Smith, and Chief Mills.
Ernest Dreher from META Associates meets with
Linda Tuggle, Chief Operations Officer at Homer Memorial
Hospital, as part of his on-site evaluation of current hospital services.
Consultant Evaluating Homer Memorial
Hospital
Homer Memorial
Hospital is working closely with META Associates, a consultant firm
specializing in hospital planning and construction management, to evaluate the
possibility of building a replacement hospital facility for Claiborne Parish.
Over the past two months, META has made a number of on-site visits focused on
assessing our current facility and the land possibilities for a replacement
facility. They have completed an evaluation of our current hospital building,
the services we offer and the square-footage being used by each of our
departments to provide these services. They have also completed a detailed
assessment of the hospital's potential patient population which includes our
current patient base and the volume of patients leaving Claiborne Parish for
their healthcare. Travis Beatty from META Associates toured Homer and the
surrounding area, viewed potential sites for a replacement hospital facility
and met with Winn Surveying to obtain topographical information as part of the
initial land assessment. The four-month planning project started in January and
is on schedule to be completed by the first week in May. The results will
provide detailed information regarding the current and future healthcare needs
of our community, the space needed to meet those needs and the feasibility of
providing that space by either remodeling our current facility or building a
replacement facility. Questions concerning cost, design, and location will be
answered by this project.
"Premonition" Crash Scene Set To Film April 3-7
Ned Shapiro,
Location Manager for the feature film, "Premonition," was in town
this week to begin contacting residents who live in the area where shooting of
a key scene in the movie will take place. The area of La. 2 just east of Homer
between the intersections of Hwy. 540 and Hwy. 3062 will be closed beginning at
4 AM on Monday, April 3 and continuing through Friday, April 7.
It will be
along this stretch of road that crews will be filming the key scene in the
upcoming movie starring actress Sandra Bullock. Bullock,
and "Nip/Tuck" star Julian McMahon, who plays Bullock's husband in
the film, will be driving along La. 2 when they are hit by a tractor/trailer
tanker truck, causing a huge explosion and killing McMahon. This will set the
stage for an unusual chain of events during the movie.
Shapiro and his
assistant are distributing notices to residents in the area, informing them of
what they can expect during the week. Residents who live within the closed area
will be issued parking passes to allow them access to their homes. Due to
safety and liability concerns, however, residents are being asked to stay away
from the filming area. During filmmaking, there are long periods of non-filming
when the scene is being set up, so there will not be that much to see.
"Speaking
for all of us involved with this motion picture," Shapiro said. "I am
looking forward to having a successful `shoot' and to making this a great
experience for all of us."
The Homer Housing Authority Board of
Commissioners (seated,
l.-r.) James Ridley, Vice-Chairman Terry Willis, Chairman Willie Curry, Mary
Sawyer, and Ray Jiles met recently with (standing) Administrative Assistant Joe
Etta Williams and Executive Director Michelle Brown. Agenda items included
party policy, the town dump site, pay raises, and renewal of the lawn
maintenance contract.
Housing Authority Approves
Zero Tolerance On
Parties
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Board of Directors
for the Homer Housing Authority met Monday, March 13. Among the items discussed
included problems with rats, the town dump site, and a policy for tenants holding parties.
Executive Director Michelle Brown presented a proposed "party permission
slip" for consideration by the Board.
Brown said she
had allowed one party, but it did not turn out well. She said, "Apartments
are small, not big enough anyway." Terry Willis said the safest thing was
to ban them. He said, "It is the advice of the Homer Housing Authority
that tenants do not have parties. If some are given, the tenants accept full
responsibility and all rules must be applied." James Ridley's motion for
zero tolerance on parties and that tenants take full
responsibility was approved.
Commissioner
and Resident Services Coordinator Terry Willis presented complaints about a
basketball goal blocking the sidewalk on Hudd Drive, sometimes until midnight.
Curry said the basketball goal was in middle of street Friday night and two
trash cans were blocking the traffic. Brown said she had sent a letter to the
resident to come in to resolve the situation. It was decided to contact the
resident about not following teen curfew hours, and if they could not abide by
the rules, they may need to find somewhere else to stay.
Willis said
they had an excess of kids in the Housing Authority Saturday night. He went to
city officials and the police chief. He said, "It is not fair...for
parents to hold some of their kids hostage because of
the bad element."
His organization,
"I Will", a fatherhood initiative program, is committed to help
youth. To join, kids must be in school, cannot be suspended, and cannot have an
altercation at school. Assistance from the police was overwhelming. They
assured us as long as respectful kids had a place to go, the police would
provide protection and assistance.
Homer Housing Authority employees (seated, l.-r.) receptionist Takeshia
Ivory, administrative assistant Joe Etta Williams, (standing) Selous Knowles,
Bernard Smith, and Calvin Anderson.
Police Jury President Steps Down
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Police Juror
Roy Lewis resigned as president last week following an executive session held
during a special called meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury on March
15. The resignation was prompted by allegations of sexual harassment from a
woman who had submitted an application for the secretary-treasurer position
recently advertised. She has since withdrawn her application.
Police Juror Roy Mardis, who made the motion to accept Lewis'
resignation, stated, "Certain allegation may have contributed to his
resignation, but he is innocent until proven guilty." Mardis said
he was thankful that Lewis saw fit not to bring any hardship on the Police Jury
by offering his resignation, however, Lewis, by no means, admitted to any
wrongdoing.
Vice-President
Jerry Adkins will assume Lewis' duties as president until the Jury can meet to
elect a new president.
Program Established At Wade Wins
National Award
The Department
of Public Safety and Correction was awarded the prestigious 2006 Exemplary
Offender Program Award for is Sex Offender Treatment Program at the American
Correctional Association's Winter Conference held recently in Nashville,
Tennessee. Each year the American Correctional Association formally recognizes
an outstanding correctional program that demonstrates successful outcome
measures that address offender's problems as well as reduce offender rate of
return among other public safety criteria.
The six-year
old risk-management program for sex offenders was first established at David
Wade Correctional Center in Homer. Due to the effectiveness of the program, it
has been standardized statewide. A total of approximately 3,000 sex offenders
under the custody and supervision of the Department of Corrections at 11 state
prisons and 10 probation and parole districts participate in this treatment
program that performs risk assessment identification, monitoring, and
surveillance.
In February
2005, two outcome studies of the program found the scientific evidence
demonstrated enhancement of the community safety through the prioritizing,
auditing, notifying, and documenting of sex offender supervision as well as
enhancement of prison inmate sex offender treatment. Evidence of the programs
success includes proof that education of sex offenders is successful when
appropriate life skills and cognitive skills are the essence of the program.
Most impressive is the rate of re-offending community-based sex offenders with
the risk management sex offender treatment system is 2.5% whereas the national
average of recidivism with sex offenders is 65%-15%.
Warden Venetia
Michael of David Wade Correctional Center, Warden James LeBlanc of Dixon
Correctional Institute and Director of Probation and Parole Genie Powers were
cited as consistent supporters whose efforts proved to add to the successful
growth of the program statewide. "I am proud of the work performed at
every level by every security, treatment and programming employee of this
Department. Our mission of public safety remains our top priority and this
award proves that our efforts are making a positive difference in the lives of may," said Stalder.
Claiborne Electric Meeting To Feature
Gospel Group
Gospel music by
the "Men of Calvary" and a special address from the executive
director of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives (ALEC) will be
featured at this year's Claiborne Electric annual membership meeting to be held
Saturday, March 25 at the Homer High School auditorium.
This year's
meeting will feature the musical talents of "The Men of Calvary," a
gospel music group from McNeil, Ark., along with the presentation of two $1,000
scholarships to the children of Claiborne Electric members.
