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Tuesday, October 22, 1996
Background
Norwela Council, Boy Scouts of America, Crime Prevention Initiative
The Norwela Council, Boy Scouts of America, today launched the first coordinated regional program to raise community crime prevention awareness and provide a positive influence for at-risk youth.
At a kickoff luncheon today, Caddo Parish Sheriff Don Hathaway, the 1996-97 chairman of the Boy Scouts' Crime Prevention Initiative, outlined the program for sheriffs and chiefs of police from the nine Northwest Louisiana parishes served by the Norwela Council. In each of the past eight years, Sheriff Hathaway has sponsored Norwela Council-run summer camps for as many as 400 underprivileged youth in Caddo Parish. The 1997 Caddo Sheriff's Summer Youth Camp will be a focal point of the Crime Prevention Initiative.
Sheriff Hathaway told the group of law enforcement agency heads that the Initiative is intended to raise awareness of crime prevention throughout the region. In partnership with the Boy Scouts, law enforcement agencies will seek the support and sponsorship of the private sector, chambers of commerce, school systems and local governments.
The Crime Prevention Initiative will also address the creation of Law Enforcement Explorer Posts throughout the region. This is a coed program that introduces 14- to 20-year-olds to careers in law enforcement.
The Boy Scouts' national crime prevention program has components for youth, family, community and Scout councils. Through the program, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorers and Learning for Life participants can learn how to settle arguments with words, not weapons; how to report crimes, and how to become involved in making neighborhoods safe.
Cub Scouts can earn recognitions for activities and achievements, and Boy Scouts can earn the new Crime Prevention Merit Badge, sponsored by the National Sheriffs' Association. Sheriff Hathaway is the 1996-97 president of the National Sheriffs' Association.
Working with their parents in the family component, Scouts can discuss topics in crime prevention and can demonstrate basic safety and crime prevention techniques.The community component will stress collaboration with national, state and local law enforcement organizations to set up Neighborhood Watch programs and McGruff Crime Dog programs for children in elementary schools.
Scout Executive John Cabeza said the Norwela Council will conduct parents' nights, conduct or host safety seminars, monitor youth participation and completion of crime prevention projects and order and distribute appropriate recognition. He said the Initiative will also provide an outreach to youth not now involved in Scouting, thereby extending its impact to additional youth in the region.
Law Enforcement Officials in Attendance
Caddo Parish Sheriff Don Hathaway
Bienville Parish Sheriff Joe Storey
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Chief Deputy Don Rittenberry
Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Chief Detective Chuck Talley
DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Chief Deputy Mike Lee
Capt. Judson Rives
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Deputy Calvin McFerrin
Red River Parish Sheriff's Captain Richard "Rick" Emerson
Webster Parish Sheriff Ted Riser
Chief Deputy Gary Sexton
Bossier City Police Chief Danny Dison
Sgt. Gerald Huddleston
Mansfield Police Chief Don English
Shreveport Police Chief Steve Prator
Vivian Police Chief Sherman Morgan