By John Summers | WBR Independent March 12, 2026

West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Jeff Bergeron used the parish's third Seniors and Law Enforcement Together event Thursdat morning to unveil several new community programs, including a digital pursuit alert app, a senior wellness check initiative, and an autism awareness registry — while providing an update on a long-promised public safety facility in the northern part of the parish.

The event, held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Erwinville Community Center, 5110 Rougon Road, Port Allen, drew what organizers described as a significant turnout of senior residents, local officials, and law enforcement personnel. Lt. General Russel Honoré, the Louisiana-born retired Army general nationally recognized for leading military relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina, served as the keynote speaker.

New Programs

Digital Siren

The sheriff's office plans to launch a pursuit alert system called Digital Siren within approximately two weeks. Once active, the app will send a smartphone notification — similar in format to a weather emergency alert — whenever a West Baton Rouge sheriff's deputy initiates a vehicle pursuit. The goal, according to the sheriff, is to give residents real-time awareness so they can avoid the pursuit path and reduce the risk of crashes.

Citizens Academy

The Sheriff's Citizens Academy is scheduled to begin April 30, 2026. The five-week program gives participants a hands-on look at how the sheriff's office operates, with no physical fitness component or testing required. Sessions will include an office overview, a training simulator, an interactive crime scene, a Special Response Team demonstration, and a drone operations segment, along with direct interaction with deputies and commanders.

Seating is limited. Residents can apply through the sheriff's mobile app or at www.wbrsheriff.org. Paper sign-up forms were also available at Wednesday's event.

Autism Awareness Initiative

The sheriff's office is expanding its autism and special needs awareness program. Residents can register household members with autism or other special needs so that information is entered into the department's computer-aided dispatch system. When deputies respond to a registered address, dispatch will notify them in advance that a special needs individual may be present. Window and vehicle stickers are available for participating households.

Senior Outreach

Deputy Mike Marchand is spearheading a new senior outreach initiative expected to roll out within the coming month. Marchand will make in-person visits to check on elderly residents as part of the effort. The sheriff's office is also working toward a program called R U Ok?, which will include an automated telephone check-in component: elderly residents will be contacted by phone and prompted to confirm they are okay. If there is no response, a family member will be contacted.

The sheriff shared a recent example illustrating the program's purpose. An investment company contacted his office after one of its clients insisted on withdrawing a large sum and transferring it elsewhere. Recognizing the situation as a probable scam, the company froze the client's account and called for help. A deputy responded, spoke with the individual, and ultimately confirmed the transaction was fraudulent. The resident, the sheriff said, was grateful he had not lost his savings.

Public Safety Building Update

Site preparation is underway at the corner of Rougon Road and Louisiana Highway 190 in Erwinville, where the parish is constructing a combined fire station and sheriff's substation — a project the sheriff first promised in August 2023 at a rally held in the same Erwinville community center where Wednesday's event took place. The $3 million project was funded through the governor's office via capital outlay, secured in coordination with Parish President Jason Manola and the parish's legislative delegation. The sheriff said he expects the building to be occupied by approximately this time next year.

The sheriff's office also encouraged residents to download the WBRSO mobile app, available at www.wbrsheriff.org, which pushes out weather alerts, public safety notifications, and other parish information. The app also serves as the portal for Citizens Academy applications.

Council on Aging Satellite Location

Parish President Jason Manola announced that the West Baton Rouge Council on Aging will open a satellite location at the Erwinville community center, expanding services and programming available to seniors in that part of the parish.

The parish president also highlighted what he described as strong intergovernmental coordination in West Baton Rouge, contrasting it with conflicts he said occur in other parishes — including litigation between sheriffs and parish presidents elsewhere in Louisiana.

Lt. General Honoré on War, Infrastructure, and Hurricane Readiness

Lt. General Honoré, who grew up in Pointe Coupée Parish just across the parish line, addressed three topics: the ongoing conflict with Iran, power grid vulnerability, and hurricane preparedness.

On the conflict, Honoré noted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly 20 percent of the world's oil supply and approximately one-third of its fertilizer flows — would have significant global economic consequences. He called for a ceasefire and urged attendees to contact their U.S. senators if they wanted to see the conflict resolved quickly.

On infrastructure, Honoré singled out speeding on the Interstate 10 bridge, describing a Southwest cargo truck with two trailers passing him at a high rate of  speed while he was already traveling 55 miles per hour. He called for a dedicated state police enforcement presence on the bridge, citing it as critical infrastructure and noting that two separate crashes involving large trucks had recently snarled westbound I-10 traffic for hours.

On hurricane preparedness, Honoré drew on his experience coordinating the New Orleans evacuation following Katrina, noting that the overwhelming majority of people who remained behind were elderly, disabled, or living alone. He urged attendees to identify neighbors who cannot drive and to include them in any evacuation plan. He also raised concerns about the power grid, warning that in modern homes — particularly high-rise apartments where windows do not open — a power outage lasting 24 to 36 hours can quickly become a life-threatening situation.

"If you see something, say something," Honoré told attendees, paraphrasing the post-9/11 public awareness slogan. "Take a picture and run like hell."

Honoré was presented with an honorary West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's deputy badge, a challenge coin, and a commemorative coffee cup at the close of his remarks.

Event Sponsors

The meal was served with the help of the Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus of Lakeland and administrators from Caneview School.

The SALT program was supported by Coca-Cola, Community Coffee, Andre's Cajun Cracklins, Fresh Pickin's, Mike Anderson's, Forcomm Solutions, Correct Solutions Group, Erwinville Raised Me, and Kids Karousel. Bingo prizes and raffle baskets were donated by several of the sponsors, along with the sheriff's office and the Council on Aging.

The first SALT event, held in Port Allen last spring, drew approximately 250 residents.

John Summers is the editor and founder of WBR Independent. Reach him at editor@wbrindependent.com.