Wednesday, November 18, 1998

Sheriff’s Third Senior Citizen Academy graduates 25

Caddo Parish Sheriff Don Hathaway’s Third Senior Citizen Academy graduated 25 students today in brief "commencement" exercises at the Caddo Correctional Center.

The 25 senior citizens, most of whom are members of a local foster grandparents organization, completed the seven-session, 14-hour curriculum that gave them an overview of Sheriff’s Office operations and practical information for their personal safety and well-being. Sheriff’s Assistant Chief Deputy for Administration Marcus C. Williams, Jr., presented the academy completion certificates.

Graduating from the academy today were Minnie Battle, Cora Bennett, Clarise Burks, Seymore L. Butler, Katherine Dennis, Wilma Holmon, Vivian Johnson, Sallie B. Jones, Willie C. Kirkendoll, Hattie Love, Audrey McGee and Tulip Yvonne Montalbano.

Also graduating were Willie R. Moore, Rosetta Myles, Lula Nash, Robert Parish, Sr., Mable Prim, Eula Richardson, Hazel Rogers, Janie M. Smith, Rosie Tate, Berdia Walker, Loraine Washington, Hazel Williams and Jessie Winbush.

In organizing the academy, Sheriff Hathaway said, "Senior citizens are the fastest growing segment of our local population. This educational program is designed to address the specific needs of our senior citizens to help assure their continued safety and well-being."

The Sheriff’s academy provided the senior citizens with an inside look at law enforcement duties, policies and procedures. It also gave the participants a chance to meet and share ideas and information with Sheriff’s deputies in a positive setting.

Topics covered in the academy included overviews of the Sheriff’s Office structure, the Caddo Correctional Center and the 9-1-1 Center. Subject-matter experts also discussed services provided under the Elderly Crime Victims Assistance program, general safety, drug and gang awareness, firearms safety, con games and white collar crime.