'Sharing the positive': 3 southeast law enforcement agencies recognized for community work
Three southeast Louisiana law enforcement agencies were recognized for their efforts to better their communities beyond their crime-fighting efforts.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office of Lafourche Parish and Louisiana State Police Toop C in Terrebonne Parish were honored Wednesday as the 2021 Leaders in Law Enforcement, which is hosted by the Community Foundation of Acadiana.
"These awards are designed to honor those departments who are making the most impact in their communities with the resources with which they have been allocated," said Community Foundation of Acadiana President and CEO Raymond Hebert.
"Oftentimes, we never hear about the positive interactions. That's what we're doing here today. Sharing the positive, sharing all that is right with law enforcement and sharing the good that is going on in our communities," he added.
The award winners were selected by a panel of retired law enforcement officials. Each agency received $25,000 as part of the statewide award, which is in its second year.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office was recognized for its Waguespack Center and Park, a place where deputies can interact with children in a safe space that includes a computer lab, playground and library.
"We can't control how people may criticize us. We can only control our response," Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre said. "Our response is not to circle the wagons but to get back in that community and stay in that community in a big way."
LSP Troop C was selected for the developments and partnerships it created to improve road safety and reduce the accidental death rate.
The 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office was recognized for its RESPECT U program that works in the schools and focuses on self-respect, respect for others and respect for the community. It also was has expanded its victims' rights department to include a licensed clinical social worker who can work with victims and their families.
"We truly believe that if we can start reaching our children at a young age that we're going to see a difference in our community in 5,10 and 15 years," 17th Judicial District Attorney Kristine Russell said. "It's going to be a slow process, but we can do it."
The ceremony's keynote speaker, former director of the U.S. Marshals Service and former U.S, Attorney Donald Washington, touched on his time with the marshals and heralded the officers for their work.
"This is a night that we're here to honor you for the things that you have done to our communities and to better the lives of others. What you've done and what you will continue to do," he said. "Take the high ground, build bridges, bridge gaps, be servant leaders and remember that iron sharpens iron. You're the iron sharpening iron and your service is unfinished."
Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: 3 southeast law enforcement agencies recognized for community work
