State legislators are working to keep citizens safe statewide through a new program, SAVE — Stay Alert and Vigilant … Everywhere.
State Rep. Yvonne Dorsey-Welch, D-East Baton Rouge Parish, said in times of crisis, people in leadership should step up and keep people informed of what is happening in their community.
Welch is the chair of the 23-member Committee on Combating Violence Against Females. The committee voted unanimously to establish SAVE, Welch said.
The SAVE program is designed to make women aware of their surroundings with an immediate focus on the Baton Rouge serial killer, Welch said.
“Right now the focus is on the serial killer, but in the future, we will move to other issues affecting women,” Welch said.
One of the functions of SAVE is to set up a reward system for anyone giving information leading to the arrest or conviction of the serial killer, Welch said.
Students are aware of the dangers the serial killer presents.
Tamby Reed, a mass communication freshman, said she never goes anywhere by herself at night.
“In some ways [the reward] motivates people, especially if they see someone suspicious,” Reed said.
Each committee member donated a minimum of $200. Welch said her male colleagues have pledged to match the female legislators’ contributions to bring the reward total to about $25,000.
Celena Noel, an ISDS sophomore, said the reward may help, but anyone who knows anything has talked to the police.
Welch said each legislator is campaigning in her own district to raise awareness and funds for the reward program.
Lamar Advertising Company will donate billboards around the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas to spread awareness, Welch said.
The billboards still are in the design phase, but Welch said as soon as it is approved, Lamar will chose where to place them.
Reed said she thinks the billboards will help keep awareness up and keep it in everyone’s minds.
“Things died down, but when it happened in Lafayette, everyone became concerned again,” Reed said.
Noel said the billboards may make citizens think about the serial killer, but she said it is on the news almost every day, and people still let their guard down.