EBRSO To Continue Increased Presence Throughout Parish; Additional Deputies To Assist Surrounding Parishes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2012

Assessing Needs of the Parish

EBR Sheriff Sid Gautreaux met with command staff today to reassess the situation in East Baton Rouge Parish. EBRSO will continue to operate with increased presence throughout the parish due to continued power outages and difficult road conditions.

“While it appears the worst of the storm has passed,” Sheriff Gautreaux said. “We will continue to keep additional deputies throughout the parish in case any criminals decide to try and take advantage of the situation. I would caution them, that we will be vigilant in keeping the community safe.”
 

Sending Personnel  to Assist Surrounding Parishes

After assessing and preparing for any needs here in the parish, EBRSO will deploy additional deputies to assist Sheriffs in other parishes throughout the state as needed. The deputies will stage with other Sheriff’s Offices as part of the JTF7 Task Force and the Louisiana Sheriff's Association Task Force. The Task Forces are preparing to deploy personnel and equipment to other parishes that may need assistance including Tangipahoa, St. Helena and St. Tammany.

Joint Task Force 7 (JTF7), formed in 2011, is a group made up of the seven Sheriff’s Offices bordering the Mississippi River and the Greater Baton Rouge Area. The group includes members of the various agencies’ maritime response teams trained and prepared for operations on land and water.

EBRSO will also send several special operations deputies to assist the Louisiana Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Force. The task force, made up of local fire, EMS and law enforcement, is prepared for emergency response throughout the state.

Encouraging Public to Continue to Be Safe

Despite the lifted curfew and improved conditions, the Sheriff’s Office is cautioning the public to continue to be safe.

“While things are improving,” Sheriff Gautreaux said. “We still have power outages, downed trees and powerlines and water throughout the parish. I’d caution the public to continue to take precautions when out and about, and to stay off the roads when possible.”