Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office

LPSO Offers Free Service to Check on Elderly Residents During COVID-19 Pandemic

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is urging citizens to take advantage of a free service to check on the welfare of elderly relatives, especially those who may be self-isolating due to COVID-19.

The “Are You OK?” program is a free telephone reassurance service provided by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Through this program, the Sheriff’s Office places a daily phone call to a person at a specified time. If no response is received, a deputy is dispatched to the residence to check on that person. This service is designed to enhance the quality of life for elderly residents who live alone or those who are at risk of sudden illness, falls, accidents, or social isolation.

Citing guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Governor John Bel Edwards has recommended that all elderly citizens and those with chronic health conditions limit interactions with others.

Sheriff Webre said the “Are You OK?” program ensures someone will be checking on relatives every day and responding if an emergency occurs.

“For many years, our ‘Are You OK?’ program has been monitoring the welfare of elderly residents throughout the parish. With many people following recommendations to self-isolate during this COVID-19 pandemic, this program can ensure peace of mind for you and your family,” said Sheriff Webre.

Through the program, a phone call is placed by an automated system that instructs the call recipient to press any button to signify they are ok. If the call is not answered or a button is not pressed within five seconds, the system will attempt to call up to two additional numbers provided during enrollment. If there is no response from any of the numbers, a deputy is dispatched to the resident to check on the person.

For more information or to sign up for the program, please contact Deputy Melissa Simmons with LPSO Police Social Services at (985) 449-4478 or by email at melissa-simmons@lpso.net.

Sheriff Webre Issues Statement on Impacts to LPSO Due to COVID-19

Sheriff Craig Webre announced an update today regarding impacts to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as it relates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). On March 13, 2020, Governor John Bel Edwards announced the closure of all K-12 schools statewide as part of several measures attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, and Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson declared a State of Emergency.

“First and foremost, we want to ensure residents that we will continue to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Webre. “While there will be minor impacts to our operations, Lafourche Parish citizens can count on us to continue providing quality public service with the utmost professionalism during this ongoing situation.”

Most notably, all in-person visits for inmates at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, Transitional Work Program, and South Lafourche Sub-station have been suspended in accordance with recommendations of the Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC). Video visitation is available for residents away from the facilities through IC Solutions at www.icsolutions.com. Group visits for religious or other purposes have also been suspended. All work has been suspended for inmate labor (trusty) crews in accordance with DOC guidelines. Medical staff is screening all arrestees coming into the facilities for symptoms and will isolate individuals as necessary.

At this time, administrative offices will remain open for normal business. Citizens are, however, strongly encouraged to utilize online options in lieu of coming to the office in person when possible. For example, payments of fines and fees can be made at www.LPSO.net or on the LPSO app.

Employees have been instructed on proper guidelines for handwashing and disinfecting surfaces and objects to curb the spread of disease. Disinfectant has been made available to all employees to ensure proper disinfecting for vehicles, workstations, and duty belts, for example. If making contact with a person showing symptoms of sickness, deputies may place a mask on that individual when appropriate.

Regarding upcoming LPSO public events, the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Course scheduled for March 23-25 at Lady of the Sea Hospital has been canceled. The annual WWII Live Fire Demo which was being hosted at the LPSO Shooting Range on March 28 has also been postponed until further notice.

“Along with other parish officials, I want to encourage our residents to do their best to embrace this ‘new normal’ for the time being which means staying home as much as possible,” said Sheriff Webre. “The closure of schools and cancellation of many events has put an unexpected hardship on many people, including many of our own employees who must continue to work. As citizens in Lafourche Parish, we will all get through this together. I encourage you all to exercise patience and understanding and continue to adhere to precautionary measures. We will get through this.”

To stay informed, citizens are urged to download the LPSO app for the latest local information and push alerts, as well as important links to local, state, and federal government information sites. The information is also available on our website at www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

SCAM ALERT: Sheriff Webre Warns of COVID-19 Scams

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is warning consumers to beware of scammers who are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to rip off consumers with unproven claims of cures and treatments. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers are setting up fake websites to sell bogus products and using fake emails, texts and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information.

“In any crisis situation, scammers will seek to take advantage of fear and anxiety,” said Sheriff Webre. “We want to educate our citizens from the outset so that no one falls victim to one of these criminals.”

The FTC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sent warning letters to seven companies regarding unsupported claims about products with the ability to treat COVID-19. Those letters were sent to the following companies: 1) Vital Silver, 2) Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd., 3) N-ergetics, 4) GuruNanda, LLC, 5) Vivify Holistic Clinic, 6) Herbal Amy LLC, and 7) The Jim Bakker Show. These companies’ products—including teas, essential oils, and colloidal silver—as able to treat or prevent coronavirus. According to the FDA, however, there are no approved vaccines, drugs, or investigational products currently available to treat or prevent the virus.

“We understand consumers are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 and urge them to talk to their health care providers, as well as follow advice from other federal agencies about how to prevent the spread of this illness. We will continue to aggressively pursue those that place the public health at risk and hold bad actors accountable,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D.

Sheriff Webre cautions citizens to be wary of emails advertising products related to COVID-19. “In many cases, these emails can be “phishing” scams where con artists create an email to appear as one from a reputable company, but they are just aiming to capture your personal data.”

To avoid phishing scams, type out a website address in your browser instead of clicking on a link in an email. When shopping online, look for the “secure” icon in the address bar, or check that the website address begins with “https.” Consumers are encouraged to shop with companies you know and trust and avoid using public Wi-Fi to shop from a mobile device.

To learn more about COVID-19 scams, go to FTC.gov/coronavirus.

To stay informed with local information on COVID-19, download the LPSO app or go to LPSO.net/coronavirus.

Detectives Investigating Shooting at Thibodaux Residence

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives are on scene at a residence in Thibodaux where a woman has been shot. The victim is in critical condition.

At 11:32 a.m. on Friday, March 13, a man called 911 in reference to a woman being shot in the torso after a gun had discharged. The woman was transported via helicopter to a hospital for treatment. The man is currently being questioned in reference to the incident.

The incident remains under investigation. More information will be released as it can be made available.

Missing Cut Off Teen Found Safe

UPDATE: Kevin Juneau has been found and is safe.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Kevin Juneau of 129 West 49th Street in Cut Off. He left his residence around noon on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, and he was riding a green bicycle.

Juneau is described as 5’8″ tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds with black hair. He was last seen wearing a red shirt with tan-colored jogging pants, black socks, and red sandals. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 532-2808, or simply dial 9-1-1.

Questions About COVID-19 Now Being Answered by Louisiana 211 Statewide Network

Per the Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana’s statewide 211 network is now answering calls about COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. This network is best designed and staffed to handle the large volume of calls from Louisiana residents who are concerned and who have questions about the rapidly-spreading virus.

Anyone looking for information about the COVID-19 outbreak can simply dial 211 or text the keyword LACOVID to 898-211 for the most current information about the outbreak as it becomes available.

With Louisiana 211 now equipped and trained to answer questions from the public, the Louisiana Department of Health is asking residents to call 211 instead of the current general information line, 855-523-2652.

In addition to being able to call the Louisiana 211 and to sign up for text messaging, residents can get written answers to the most-asked questions by concerned citizens. The website is www.la211help.org.

Over the past week, the call volume to LDH’s general information line, that was only available during business hours, has increased from several calls a day to several hundred calls.

Dr. Alex Billioux, assistant secretary for LDH’s Office of Public Health, said this change will give citizens the best way to get information any time of the day or night.

“The Louisiana 211 statewide network is established as the public’s first and best source to connect callers with critical information about health and human services,” Billioux said. “This expertise ensures that citizens can talk to a person who is trained to answer their questions 24 hours a day.”

The Louisiana 211 statewide network provides multilingual services as well as information for people who are hearing impaired.

Sarah Berthelot, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of United Ways, coordinates statewide response efforts with 211 providers throughout Louisiana.

“By working with the Louisiana Department of Health, the 211 network allows residents to get the information they need as quickly as possible. Our robust system of call centers, text message capability and websites gives people access to information that can help them make better decisions and best prepare for this health crisis,” Berthelot said.

This week, LDH provided Louisiana 211 with a comprehensive list of questions that have come into the original information telephone line. These include questions about testing for COVID-19, symptoms and treatment and when to access medical help. Answers to all questions were provided by LDH’s medical leadership team.

Louisiana 211 is supported by United Ways throughout the state of Louisiana.

For updates on local information relevant to Lafourche Parish, please download the LPSO app or visit our website at www.LPSO.net/coronavirus.

MISSING TEEN: Kevin Juneau

3/13/2020 UPDATE: Kevin Juneau has been found and is safe.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Deputies Use Naloxone to Save Raceland Man’s Life

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported deputies used naloxone to save the life of a Raceland man who had overdosed on narcotics on Thursday.

At around 6:45 p.m. on March 5, 2020, deputies responded to a residence on Market Street in Raceland after a man was discovered lying on a couch and unresponsive. There was a bag of suspected narcotics lying next to him. When deputies arrived, they attempted to revive the man, but he remained unresponsive. Recognizing signs of a possible opioid overdose, deputies administered naloxone to the man. Within seconds, he began to recover and show signs of improvement. He was then transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Naloxone HCl, which is sold under brand names such as Narcan and Evzio, is used as a temporary antidote to treat an opioid overdose. Deputies with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office began carrying naloxone in November 2017 after undergoing proper training for use. Naloxone has always been acquired at no cost to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office through the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, and the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority.

Correctional Complex Inmate Dies; Death Appears to Be from Natural Causes

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an inmate at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex has died. Bob Carlos, 61, of Cut Off died at the facility on Thursday, March 5, 2020. His death appears to be from natural causes.

On the afternoon of Thursday, March 5, 2020, several inmates were gathered in the common area of the special housing unit of the complex when Carlos returned to his cell complaining of discomfort in his chest. A short time later, another inmate went check on Carlos and called for emergency assistance. Correctional officers and nursing staff responded, as well as EMTs with Acadian Ambulance. At one point, Carlos lost consciousness, and responders were unable to revive him. He was later pronounced dead.

Carlos’ death remains under investigation, but his death appears to be due to natural causes. Investigators have found no evidence of foul play. An autopsy is pending.

Rape Aggression Defense Course to be Held in Cut Off

UPDATE: This event has been canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Sheriff Craig Webre announced the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office will host a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) course on March 23, 24, and 25, 2020, at The Learning Center at Lady of the Sea Hospital, located at 200 West 134th Place in Cut Off.

This self-defense course is designed exclusively for women and will take place over the course of all three days. The class will begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all three days. Course instruction will be provided by certified R.A.D. instructors from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The cost of the course is $10 to cover the cost of course materials and is non-refundable. Class size is limited, and advance registration is required. You can register and pay for the course online at www.LPSO.net/classes. The deadline to register for the class is March 20, 2020, at 11 a.m.

For more information, please call Lucie Morvant at (985) 438-2925 or email Captain Lafate Day at lafate-day@lpso.net.