St. Landry Crime Stoppers: 4,000 tips, 350 cases solved
OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) - The National Crime Stoppers Programs turns 50 years old next year. St. Landry Parish has had this program for about two decades now, and it continues to see success. Major Mark Leblanc with the St. Landry Parish Crimestoppers says, “There have been so many crimes solved, so many things done.”
More than 4,000 tips have been delivered to St. Landry Parish Crime Stoppers with more than three hundred and fifty cases cleared in the program's twenty-year history. These stats also include a quarter million dollars in drugs seized, and one point two million dollars’ worth of property recovered. This success is due to the linkage Crime Stoppers brings between law enforcement and the media. Major Mark Leblanc says, "Getting a message out to our citizens that you don't have to be afraid of letting law enforcement know what's going on in your area."
The message you'll get is confidentiality and quite possibly a pay day. "Everything stays anonymous and oh if an arrest takes place based on your tip, there's a cash reward paid." says Major Leblanc
It's also about highlighting the hard work of the men and women in law enforcement, which is the purpose of this banquet, awarding the best of those in law enforcement. Major Leblanc says "I try to showcase our officers they're either boots on the ground working these cases or they'll be the investigators investigating it."
Some of the awards being given include officer of the year, dispatcher of the year, and correctional officer of the year. A reminder that for success like this, it takes a village. Leblanc says "Law enforcement officers, support personnel, correctional officers, communications, all of the various people that together bring this to one is such a success endeavor."
The Officer of the Year award was given to Captain Gisha Palmer with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office.
Deputy Nia Henry with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office received the award for the Correctional Officer of the Year.
The Civil Officer of the Year is Rachelle Henry with the Opelousas Police Department.
Annette Fontenot with the Eunice City Marshals was named the Dispatcher of the Year.
The Law Enforcement Special Services/Public Services Officer of the Year is Sergeant Jessica Tezeno with the Eunice Police Department.
Sergeant Samuel Tidwell with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office is the Detective of the Year.
The Supervisor of the Year is Deputy Chief David Meche with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office
Judge Robert Brinkman Superior Officer Memoriam Award was given to sergeant Anthony Cicio with the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office.
The St. Landry Crime Stopper Life Saving Award went to Captain Gisha Palmer with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office.