Burglaries on the rise in lower St. Martin

PHOTO: At the sheriff’s luncheon are (from left) COA director Shanese Lewis, Shirley Akers from DA Bo Duhe’s office, COA case managers Cora DeRouselle and Delores Hebert, Amanda Laperyouse from the CIS institute, Sheriff Ronny Theriot, and from Volunteers of America, Holli Trahan-Rowzee and Sarah Carroll.(Linda Cooke)

On Saturday, Aug. 15, St. Martin Parish Sheriff Ronny Theriot hosted a luncheon for lower St. Martin residents. The lunch was held in the Stephensville Elementary School gym and a large number of people from Belle River, Stephensville and Four-mile Bayou attended.
SMSO Deputy Troy Dupuis, DARE and Crime Prevention Services person, said burglaries are on the rise, especially of vehicles. He cautioned people to lock their cars and to leave contents well hidden under the seat or in the trunk.
He also suggested trimming bushes away from homes to lessen hiding places for burglers.
“Be careful of what you put on social media,” Dupuis said. “If you say on Facebook that you’re going away or somehow let people know you won’t be home, that’s asking for trouble.”
He invited guests to contact him at (337) 394-2604 about setting up a neighborhood watch program.
Guest speakers also included Amanda Lapeyrouse from the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, who spoke mostly about the dangers of cigarette smoking and a special program to help people quit.
The director of the St. Martin Parish Council on Aging, Shanese Lewis, told the audience about the COA’s programs and efforts to bring services to the lower part of the parish. With Lewis were case managers Delores Hebert and Cora DeRouselle.
Representatives from the Volunteers of America handed out literature on recognizing and preventing suicide. For more information on that topic, call (337) 234-5715
Shirley Akers, senior liaison to the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, introduced herself on behalf of new DA Bo Duhe. She said Duhe will be continuing the programs of his predecessor, Phil Haney.
Sheriff Theriot introduced a special guest, 93-year-old Annie Mason of Stephensville, present with her daughter Enella Sharp, son-in-law Luther and their step-daughter Doris McGee.