The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

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#PositiveIsMe Protect & Serve… the People by Brenda Hill I visited Chief Don Dixon of the Lake Charles Police Department to express my concerns as a citizen residing in this community. He welcomed me into his office and listened to my concerns. He has over 30 years of training as a former FBI Agent, and about 14 years of leadership in law enforcement. He seems to have an awareness of commitment that comes from high and he is proud to speak about the programs in place that help make a connection and bridge the gap between police department and community. Pastors on Patrol is a program offering pastors opportunity to ride on with Patrol Officers on a regular basis. In conjunction with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Citizen’s Academy offers 7 weeks of training to Pastors which includes a ride-along with Police Officers to get to know what they go through. Our community is filled with individuals that confess their faith and our Pastors teach & preach how God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. So I found these programs to be wise efforts that keeps us connected to our Creator and to each other. Throughout the year, Patrol Officers involve themselves in Neighborhood Watch events that deals with quality of life issues. My community officer, Captain Wright, has watched my children grow from birth to adulthood, and he has always remained connected as a loving and caring officer in the community and to us. Chief Dixon is very hopeful with the continued success of the Multi-Agency Resource Center, MARC for our troubled youth in the community. This program admits juvenile delinquent offenders and violators from Families in need of Services, FINS. Chief Dixon also spoke about how Hurricane Rita, 2005, was a defining moment for our area. “Our community came together in faith, resilience and cooperation to rebuild and restructure,” he said. I mentioned that we live in a community built on faith, family, food, fun and football. He said, “I played sports in school. Sports teach responsibility, accountability, discipline and leadership.” I appreciate his commitment to protecting and serving the people in Lake Charles. He shared with me that every homicide has been solved since January 1, 2010 and since January 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016, the Lake Charles Police Department has worked over 4600 arrests & car crashes. During this time period only 8 external complaints and 29 internal complaints have been received, and I was delighted and pleased to hear him say, “And Zero’ use of firearms.” He says, “Trust is the key component. It has to be a two-way street. We give respect and we ask for respect. Internal procedures and a system are in place and the system should work. Officers not complying with procedure are held accountable.” Chief Dixon advises, “If you are in a car and get stopped by an officer, stay in the car, let hands be seen at all times, show respect and comply with officer.” The department expects to receive 110 body Cameras any day. Chief Dixon says, “We want to be transparent and unprofessional behavior in the Lake Charles Police Department will not be tolerated. Lake Charles Police Department considers the public to be our partners and we cannot do our jobs without the public’s cooperation.” He did share these troubling concerns that exist in all communities. He says, “Texting & driving are ‘BIG’ concerns and many accidents are the result of the use of cell phones while driving,” in addition Chief Dixon has seen many incidents when an officer or citizen is in trouble and people videotape and or record an event instead of calling for help. I’m proud and positive to be part of this community, grateful to GOD for Chief Dixon and our friends in ‘Blue’ and prayerful for communities and citizens across this land. AUGUST 2016 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 4 • Number 1
School Starts this Month “With the beginning of a new school year starting soon, I want to remind the public to take notice of the school zones and the speed limits throughout these areas,” says Sheriff Tony Mancuso. “We all need to plan ahead for school traffic and rush-hour traffic; as students and teachers are returning to school the traffic will began to increase. I also want to remind everyone that school zones are cell phone free zones.” Sheriff Mancuso continues, “Be vigilant in regards to school busses, and remember it is illegal to pass a school bus when it has the stop sign displayed. Also be careful for children that are walking or riding their bikes to school, we want to make sure the kids in our community get to school safely.” Volume 4 • Number 1 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM AUGUST 2016
Page 2 and 3: editor’s By Brenda Hill Protect t
Page 4 and 5: Pictured are Mayor Randy Roach and
Page 6 and 7: On July 18th, the Pastor of Living
Page 8 and 9: our diversity that actually unites
Page 12 and 13: SWLA entertainment band By Joyce R.
Page 14 and 15: SWLA entertainment & movie review G
Page 16 and 17: means no waiters bothering you come
Page 18 and 19: SWLA women in business L - R: Shaun
Page 20 and 21: SWLA fashion PRESS Vintage Shopping
Page 22 and 23: SWLA non-profit 2016 Dancing Gala B
Page 24 and 25: SWLA education The Gift of Teaching
Page 26 and 27: Photo credit Joseph P. Booth From l
Page 28: We’re building ... Women in busin

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

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