SECPID – PATROLS
The largest expense in the SECPID budget is supplemental patrols by "our" off-duty Sheriff's Deputies. These supplemental patrols are dedicated to Shenandoah Estates for the benefit of our residents and visitors. Shenandoah Estates is a great place to live. As a community we work to build and maintain our properties and property values, and to provide ourselves and our children a safe and secure environment to live and grow in.
What tools do the Deputies have on patrol?
- As commissioned officers Deputies carry their full authority and have use of their equipment and official vehicles, marked or unmarked, "24/7".
- The Deputies have immediate "24/7" access to the video records stored in the 5 cameras installed and maintained by SECPID. (Another article will focus on the cameras.)
- The Deputies have immediate "24/7" access to the full resources of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, including assistance from any other Deputies in the immediate area.
What has SECPID accomplished so far?
Supplemental patrols were previously managed by the Shenandoah Homeowners Association and paid for from SHA's fluctuating voluntary membership fees. In 2011 patrols were limited to 4 Deputies working 86 hours per month. In January 2012 SECPID received its first revenues and supplemental patrols were immediately increased to 6 Deputies working 124 hours per month. By the end of the 2012 there were 7 Deputies working 148 hours per month. With SECPID's reliable funding source hours have been increased each year. For 2015 SECPID committed to supplemental patrols of 160 hours per month for a full-year total of 1,950 hours including extra hours during holiday periods, or a little more than 5 hours average every single day of the year!
The amount SECPID has invested in supplemental patrols each year is:
2012: $40,635 2014: $57,000
2013: $46,200 2015: $58,500 (budgeted and committed)
Are supplemental patrols worth it?
Statistics published monthly in the Shenandoah Homeowners Association "NEWSWATCH" attest to the effectiveness of supplemental patrols, but statistics do not tell the whole story. Besides criminal arrests, traffic stops, responding to altercations and disturbances, drug arrests and citations for other infractions the Deputies also enforce ordinances prohibiting parking too close to intersections or blocking sidewalks, storing junk cars and other "non-moving" violations. Deputies also perform vacation checks when these are requested through our voicemail phone number, 753-4260.
One statistic is not available: how many crimes and disturbances have been prevented simply by the increased presence and visibility of law enforcement with the significant increase in supplemental patrols? Criminal activity has decreased, but the overall effectiveness cannot be accurately quantified. The increased presence of Deputies on supplemental patrols is an effective crime deterrent and enhances the security and comfort of our residents.
Board of Commissioners, SECPID
