May 18, 2012 - Jean Lafitte Parkway in Chalmette came alive with the “Flame of Hope’’ on Thursday, May 17, during the St. Bernard leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Louisiana.

About 35 deputies from the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, four agents from the state Wildlife Department and associates of the new Arc center for people with intellectual disabilities participated.

The Torch Run, which included adults on 3-wheel bicycles from the Arc Center at 3700 Jean Lafitte – which is the rebuilt former rectory for Prince of Peace Catholic Church – started and ended at the Arc. The center, which opened in the last year, provides a support system for intellectually disabled adults.

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May 17, 2012 - The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office is trying to identify a suspect in several vehicle burglaries and an auto theft in Arabi in the early morning hours of May 13. A man shown in a store surveillance photo was among at least two men who tried to use credit cards stolen in the burglaries at gasoline pumps and other places after the break-ins.

Anyone who can identify the man, who is wearing a distinctive hat and T-shirt, should call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504)822-1111...

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May 16, 2012 - St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s narcotics agents shot and wounded a man on Tuesday May 15 when he tried to run over them in a car while fleeing as they moved in on foot to arrest him during a narcotics investigation in Arabi, Sheriff-elect James Pohlmann said.

The suspect, David Cook, 28, 4500 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans, who has prior convictions for drugs and burglary, was struck when officers fired at the Nissan auto he was driving as he tried to get away, Pohlmann said.

Cook is in guarded condition in University Hospital after surgery for gunshot wounds. He was alone in the car.

One of the narcotics officers was slightly injured by the vehicle Cook was driving but was treated at the scene and didn’t require going to a hospital, Pohlmann said. No others were injured.

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May 15, 2012 - Graduation ceremonies for students in the sheriff’s Drug Awareness Resistance Education program, or D.A.R.E., were held recently at Lynn Oaks School and Willie Smith Elementary.

Seven 5th-graders were in the program at Lynn Oaks and about 60 at Willie Smith. Lt. Lisa Jackson, head of the D.A.R.E. program, and Sgt. Darrin Miller are the instructors. Shown from Willie Smith are the essay winners, seated from left and wearing their medals: Ataia Williams, Fallon Mulholland, Teandranae Alveris and Treasure Carr and in back are Jackson, Miller, Sheriff’s Maj. Mark Poche, Cpl. Jessica Garnados of the Narcotics Unit and Principal Dedra M. Bailey.

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May 14, 2012 - Here’s a simple and cheap idea that could persuade a burglar not to mess with your home: Put a big, dog’s water bowl at your back door or near the driveway at the front. Keep it half-full and occasionally wash it out so algae doesn’t grow.

And you don’t even have to own a dog. But it will give the impression a big canine is inside.