St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office attends Night Out Against Crime gatherings

On Tuesday night, Oct. 17, several hundred St. Bernard Parish residents from Arabi to the eastern end of the parish gathered to celebrate the National Night Out Against Crime.

Some were at homes, one was on the grounds of a Chalmette church, and another at a business in Old Arabi. More than 20 parties were held in Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux, and Violet. St. Bernard Sheriff’s deputies attended each event to give crime prevention tips and answer questions.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann visited a number of gatherings, conveying the message that it’s the people of St. Bernard Parish who keep it a safe place by backing law enforcement and by being willing to call the Sheriff’s Office if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.

For the eighth year, the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette has put out a bounce center for kids on their church grounds, opened their community room and thrown a party for members and neighbors of the church to get together.

Pastor Otto Martin said the goal is to get people together to support one another and let them know they have something in common – wanting to live safely.

“It helps introduce our neighborhood to the police officers and the police officers to us, and it also gives us a chance to intermingle and get to know each other better,” Pastor Martin said.

At the church on Palmisano Boulevard and East St. Bernard Highway, Sheriff Pohlmann spoke to parents and children, congratulating the group for having such large participation each year.

The Sheriff said National Night Out Against Crime is a way for people with something in common – the desire to protect their neighborhood against crime – to get together and pledge to look out for each other’s property and safety.

Sheriff Pohlmann said if something doesn’t look right to you, call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501. It could help prevent a crime.

Capt. Charles Borchers, director of community relations and the Neighborhood Watch programs for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, also spoke to the crowd about the importance of locking their doors to deter criminals.

St. Bernard Constable Hillary Miller and Doug Cheramie, a representative from Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office, also were in attendance.

The Old Arabi Neighborhood Association held this year’s Night Out party at Arabi Food Store on Friscoville Avenue.

Event organizer and OANA President Barry Lemoine said it was “an opportunity for the community to get together and do a little getting-to-know their neighbors.’’

“We felt this is a venue that would better celebrate the neighborhood,” Lemoine said of this year’s location choice. “It’s in the heart of the neighborhood and we felt it would draw more people rather than having it at an individual’s home.”

Lemoine said the event drew nearly 100 people.

National Night Out has been celebrated more than 30 years around the nation in August. Several local leaders in Southeast Louisiana opted in 2011 to move the event to October to escape the summer heat.

Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out Against Crime was introduced in 1984 to strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts. The annual campaign involves more than 30 million participants, including residents, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses and members of the military.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann speaks with First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette Pastor Otto Martin, right, and his wife, Danita Martin, during the church’s Night Out Against Crime celebration.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, center, with First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette Pastor Otto Martin, right, and Thomas Rome, outreach director, left, during the church’s annual Night Out Against Crime event.

Capt. Charles Borchers, director of community relations and the Neighborhood Watch programs for the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, speaks to the crowd at the Night Out Against Crime party held at First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette.

Stanley Simeon, coordinator of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Addiction Resource Program, speaks to those in attendance at First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette’s Night Out Against Crime gathering.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with some of the children who participated in a Night Out Against Crime gathering held at First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, right, and Lt. Chip Englande, left, speak with Anthony Fernandez during a Night Out Against Crime party held on St. Matthew Circle in Violet.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with Sophie Dominick, center, and Oliver Banks during St. Matthew Circle’s Night Out Against Crime gathering in Violet.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann with Violet resident Latrika Shaw during a Night Out Against Crime celebration held on St. Matthew Circle.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann visited several Night Out Against Crime gatherings Oct. 17, including this one on St. Matthew Circle in Violet.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, center, and Lt. Robert Broadhead visits with residents during a Night Out Against Crime party held on St. Matthew Circle in Violet.

Sgt. Chris Scheeler, left, and Lt. Robert Broadhead celebrate Night Out Against Crime with Violet residents Russell Banks and Latrika Shaw on St. Matthew Circle in Violet.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann shares a meal with residents of Jumonville North subdivision in Meraux during a Night Out Against Crime celebration.

Det. Joe Warren hangs out with Night Out Against Crime party-goers, from left: Hunter, Justin and Landon.

St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies who visited various Night Out Against Crime celebrations included, from left: Det. Donald Shreve, Sgt. Jesse Gernados, Sgt. Ryan Melerine, Det. Daniel Carreras, Det. Joe Warren and Lt. Robert Broadhead.

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, Lt. Robert Broadhead and Dep. Clayten Burns were among the members of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office who visited with residents of Old Arabi during the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association’s Night Out Against Crime party held at Arabi Food Store on Friscoville Avenue.

Celebrating Night Out Against Crime at Arabi Food Store on Friscoville Avenue in Old Arabi are, from left: St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis, St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann, Max Landry, Dep. Mitch Perkins, and Lt. Robert Broadhead. Also pictured is Landry’s son, Max.

Dep. Clayten Burns played some football with his son, Liam, right, and his friend Max during the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association’s Night Out Against Crime celebration held at Arabi Food Store.