Recently Revived Program Addresses Suspected Drug Deals as Police Share Critical Scam Warnings

PORT ALLEN — Suspected drug activity in residential driveways and sophisticated scams targeting elderly residents dominated discussion at the Port Allen Neighborhood Watch meeting September 24th, drawing Mayor Terecita Pattan and police officials to address growing community concerns.

The September 24 meeting at City Hall, led by President Cynthia Cinelli, brought together residents from across Port Allen's historic neighborhoods in what marks the continuation of the neighborhood watch program revived in August after years of dormancy.

Drug Activity Concerns Escalate

Multiple residents reported suspected drug activity in residential areas, with one documenting incidents involving a black Cadillac with heavily tinted windows. The activity was reported to police on September 14, with video documentation provided to authorities.

According to witnesses, individuals would briefly enter properties before leaving quickly, following patterns consistent with drug transactions. The suspected activity appears to be occurring at addresses with previous histories of similar concerns, according to meeting participants.

Several neighbors have been coordinating their observations and sharing information with law enforcement to address the ongoing situation.

Suspicious Late-Night Activity

Other residents reported unusual vehicle behavior throughout the neighborhood, including:

• A golf cart stopping directly in front of houses at 11:30 PM before reversing and leaving
• Vehicles stopping in the middle of roads for extended periods without occupants exiting
• Cars making multiple slow passes through residential streets, particularly on Avenue G

Police confirmed they responded within two minutes to one golf cart incident and continue investigating the reported drug activity.

Modern Scams Target Vulnerable Residents

Law enforcement officials devoted significant time to educating residents about increasingly sophisticated scams, particularly those targeting elderly and hearing-impaired individuals.

"There's one going out now — it's a federal level investigation — targeting the elderly and specifically people who are hearing impaired," a police representative warned, though specific details couldn't be shared due to the ongoing investigation.

Voice Cloning Scams

Perhaps most alarming was discussion of "deepfake" voice scams, where criminals use artificial intelligence to clone voices of family members, then call relatives claiming to need emergency financial assistance.

"They'll say, 'I'm in jail' or 'I need help,'" officials explained. Police recommended families establish code words to verify legitimate emergencies.

Common Scam Tactics Include:

• Urgency pressure: Claims that offers expire immediately
• Gift card payments: Legitimate businesses never request payment via gift cards
• Spoofed phone numbers: Calls appearing to come from local numbers with foreign accents
• Fake law enforcement: Criminals impersonating police or federal agents

Vehicle Break-In Prevention

Police emphasized that criminals have evolved their tactics, sometimes photographing items in vehicles rather than immediately stealing them.

"They'll take a picture of a credit card or social security card instead of taking it," officials explained. This allows criminals to use the information later without immediately alerting victims through missing items.

Sheriff's Message: "Your car is not a holster" — officials stressed never leaving firearms in vehicles, along with avoiding leaving wallets, medications, or any valuables visible.

Community Response Praised

Police response times received praise from residents, with one reporting officers arrived within 4-6 minutes to investigate suspicious vehicles parked at Berry's Landing at 1:29 AM.

"I had two units — one came from each direction," the resident reported. "They had their searchlight on and pulled right up. The cars left immediately and I haven't seen any since."

Upcoming Events

The neighborhood watch announced several upcoming community safety initiatives:

• October 26: Trunk-or-Treat at City Hall, 5-8 PM (Sunday)
  • Haunted house on first floor
  • Community participation welcomed
• October 31: Traditional trick-or-treating, 5:30-7:30 PM

Organization Growth Plans

Meeting organizers discussed expanding the neighborhood watch program for 2025, including:

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training
• Obtaining neighborhood watch signage and materials
• Establishing consistent meeting schedules (likely third Tuesday monthly)
• Creating better community communication channels

Technology Concerns

A brief discussion about drone activity on the levee raised questions about no-fly zones near the state capitol, though officials confirmed no current restrictions affect Port Allen.

School Safety

Council members expressed ongoing concern about children walking long distances through trailer parks after school, particularly along Court Street where students must walk from the street to the back of the property. Police indicated they would increase patrols during dismissal times when possible.

How to Help

Residents with information about suspicious activity should:

• Call 911 for emergencies
• Contact Port Allen Police for non-emergencies
• Join the neighborhood watch GroupMe: https://groupme.com/join_group/109083321/MncLzcl7
• Attend monthly meetings (schedule being finalized)

Mayor Pattan, who attended with her husband Jason, emphasized the city's commitment to supporting the neighborhood watch program. "Feel free to call, feel free to come by," she told residents, noting her regular presence at City Hall.

The next meeting date will be announced once the regular schedule is finalized, with organizers working to avoid conflicts with other municipal meetings.

Safety Reminders

Police left residents with key safety tips:

• Never provide personal information to unsolicited callers
• Verify any emergency calls from "family" through known phone numbers
• Remove all valuables from vehicles, even for short periods
• Consider electronic statements to avoid mail theft
• Report suspicious activity immediately — "see something, say something"

As Detective Celestine reminded the group: "If something seems fishy, pretty good chance it is."