After a recent slew of highly publicized murders in Baton Rouge, local law enforcement is stepping up its game with a newly announced parish-wide initiative.
East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden announced Thursday that law enforcement in Baton Rouge will take a more proactive effort in its policing and will engage in an unprecedented collaboration with other agencies.
For the first time in the city’s history, Baton Rouge Police Department officers will join forces with state troopers, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputies and agents from the district attorney’s office.
“We are going forward in an unprecedented spirit of cooperation among law enforcement agencies in East Baton Rouge Parish in a commitment to make the streets of Baton Rouge safe for everyone,” Holden said at a news conference.
Although homicides have been decreasing in the past few years, the city’s murder rate could still be lower, said Sid Gautreaux, East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff.
“So far this year, we’ve had seven homicides, which is seven too many,” he said.
The two most recent high-profile murders were Darius Augustus, 17, an innocent bystander who was shot and killed while on the levee Saturday, and Alexandra Engler, 42, who was shot and killed during a September home invasion. Engler’s daughter was also shot but survived.
“Incidents like these two recent murders tell us that we must take our efforts a step further,” Holden said.
BRPD Chief of Police Jeff LeDuff said this will be the first time federal agencies will work in the same department as city police.
“You’re going to see for the first time troopers, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and city police patrolling in the same areas,” he said.
Col. Mike Edmonson, Louisiana State Police superintendent, said a special section of the State Police headquarters will now be designated for various agencies working on solving crimes together in one place.
“Those investigators won’t have to pick up a phone and call [other law enforcement agencies] because they’ll be in the same room,” Edmonson said.
Holden said these new policies are only the beginning.
“This is probably the most unprecedented effort in terms of crime and law enforcement in the history of the city and parish, and there’s more to come,” Holden said.
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Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]