With the exception of narcotics violations, overall crime in Acadia Parish has decreased in the four years since K.P. Gibson was elected sheriff.
Those facts and more are presented in Gibson’s annual report, which was mailed to residents across the parish earlier this week.
But the sheriff is quick to say that law enforcement is a team effort.
“Our deputies continue to do an outstanding job and I am proud of their efforts and dedication to serve you on a daily basis,” Gibson said. “They are the heartbeat of your Sheriff’s Department.
“Each year these men and women continue to grow in education, experience and performance. It is not only my pleasure serving you, the citizens, but my honor to lead our team.”
Since taking office, Gibson has increased patrols throughout the parish which has, in turn, resulted in a decrease in calls for service.
In 2019, the office answered 10,603 calls, down 21.1 percent from the 13,433 from 2016.
The Criminal Investigations Division opened 13 percent fewer cases —661 in 2019 compared to 758 in 2016.
That number had dropped to 534 in 2018.
Arrests also are down for 2019 compared to 2016, but up compared to 2018.
In 2016, CID reported 234 arrests. That dropped to 172 in 2017 and to 137 in 2018. However, 175 arrests were recorded in 2019, representing a 25.2 percent decrease in the four-year period.
In the Narcotics Division, 215 cases were opened in 2019 as compared to 181 in 2016, an increase of 18.8 percent. Narcotics arrests are up by 11.6 percent, from 147 to 164, over the same time period.
Some of the programs implemented by the sheriff’s office include:
• Video Visitation: In an effort to secure the Corrections Facility for the safety of deputies, as well as offering extended visitations for inmates, the Sheriff’s Office has begun offering video visitation.
This service has been implemented at no cost to the agency and reduced the movement of inmates within the jail. Family members can visit via internet login from their homes or they can utilize provided equipment at the jail.
• Phone-a-Friend: Through a partnership with the Rice City Seniors, the Sheriff’s Office continues its support of local senior citizens who may not have family near or who may live alone.
The goal is to check in weekly — if not more often — with seniors who are placed on a call list.
To be added to the list for well-being checks, contact Kim Miller at 788-8793 or at kim.miller@apso.org.
• Nursing home visits: Deputies volunteer their time and money to support senior citizens residing at local nursing homes, whether for a game of bingo or just conversation.
• Coffee With the Sheriff: As a continuing effort to meet with residents in their communities, Gibson and deputies travel Acadia Parish to drink coffee and listen to the concerns of citizens.
This monthly activity has been a huge success with large attendance from each community.
• It Can Wait! campaign: Recognizing that texting and driving is one of the deadliest combinations, the Sheriff’s Office started the “It Can Wait!” initiative at the beginning of school.
In the annual report, Gibson also recognizes deputies who have died and those who retired during the last year.
Deceased deputies include Lt. Martin LaCroix, Lt. Norris Matthews, Deputy Earnest Cormier and Deputy Lonis Domingue.
Retirees were Lt. Thomas Frease (35 years), Lt. Patrick Kirsch (33 years); Sgt. Eliga “Munday” Joseph (27 years), Sgt. Anthony “Bull” Lewis (34 years) and Deputy Mark Myers (20 years).
“It has been my honor to serve you, the residents of Acadia Parish, for the past four years,” Gibson writes in the report. “Serving as your sheriff is a privilege I will never take for granted.
“As we continue to grow as a department, I want you to know that our staff is committed to serving you and your needs. Not only do we work in our parish, we reside here with pride, raising our families next to you.
“We have a vested interest in the safety of Acadia Parish and we will continue to work hard to support the needs of our citizens.”