Local authorities beefing up communications

Tri-parish law enforcement authorities are resolving to expedite new methods of protecting communities and vowing never to be taken by surprise in emergency situations n something not only local and state police are undertaking because of post-Katrina mayhem, but also agencies around the nation.

Only six cities out of 75 recently surveyed by the U.S. Homeland Security were deemed “emergency prepared” when it came to their communication system. Louisiana’s Capitol city received one of the lowest scores out of all tested.

“In some communities, not all, there are some long-standing cultural differences between different kinds of responders n fire, police, and EMS (emergency medical services) n that have caused resistance to working together,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

More than 60 percent of the communities had the resources for an interoperable communication network but only 21 used their system with state and federal officials.

While many communities are not making the grade, Tri-parish authorities, including the Houma Police Department, Terrebonne and Lafourche sheriff’s offices, are upgrading communication and placing inoperability as well as other department upgrades on the top of their 2007 to-do list.

Local authorities will work hand-in-hand with state agencies n Troop C and the state Department of Transportation and Development n and federal authorities through an interoperable communication system.

“We all need to be on the same page,” said Houma Police Chief Patrick Boudreaux.

When the storms hit, Boudreaux said many problems arose because police departments ran short on personnel and equipment, and without an integrated communication system, departments were rendered voiceless.

“There were towers down and no way to talk to each other. For 2007, we want to create an integral network with a back-up system to get the help where it’s needed in emergency situations.”

Boudreaux said supplies and officers could have been sent from northern parishes, but that didn’t happen because the lack of communication.

With a $1.7 million state grant, Houma police will begin constructing the improved communication system leading the way for other agencies in 2007, said Boudreaux. The money has been designated for communication infrastructure that will benefits all local departments.

“With this system, if help is needed in certain parts of the state, it will get there,” he said.

In addition to improving communication, officers will begin to better understand crime by analyzing crime patterns through a “comp-stat” program. Boudreaux said by looking at trends, officers can better understand crime, what triggers misconduct, and develop preventive measures.

In the next 30 days, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office will finish revitalizing its communication center, providing a mobile network that will allow officers to keep contact even with downed towers.

“There are many things I would like to see done in the parish,” said Sheriff Jerry Larpenter, “but first and foremost, we want to focus on preparation by maintaining our response system and capability to communicate during natural disasters.”

The remodeled communication center will house three to four stations, which will require additional dispatchers, equipped with the latest technology, Larpenter said.

In its second year of national accreditation, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has been recognized for its outstanding service to its residents, which includes a sound communication base. Over the next 12 months, Sheriff Craig Webre said he will continue to focus on communication and crisis management, and furthering the success the department has already seen.

But Sheriff Craig Webre has a personal, professional resolution for 2007 that will help prisoners re-enter into society.

“Most people incarcerated are usually released at some point in time, only a few receive life sentencing,” said Webre. “Unfortunately, our weakest link is our dilapidated jail that doesn’t serve our needs, so our goal is to work toward a comprehensive work release program.”

Although Webre said a new jail or addition to the current building would increase the number of available beds, that decision relies solely on the taxpayers. Enhancing the work program would make the transition from jail to society smoother for prisoners, which would reduce the number of repeat offenders.

The DHS study, implemented over last summer, was based on a drill given to community fire, police and EMS and their ability to communicate between departments during that time.

Baton Rouge and New Orleans were two Louisiana cities surveyed and while the Capitol City failed miserably, the Crescent City performed well possibly because Hurricane Katrina triggered an “unheralded level of involvement from all levels of government, according to the department.

Chertoff pledged that all of the 75 cities surveyed would have modern disaster communication systems in place by 2009, including surrounding small cities and suburbs.

Some portions of this article are attributed to Associated Press articles written by Associated Press Writers Doug Simpson and Devlin Barrett.