By Pat Culverhouse
At the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, “We’re busy but blessed,” Sheriff Jason Parker told members of the Minden Lions Club last week. “I thank the Good Lord each day for the opportunity to serve the people of our parish.”
Parker outlined some 2025 objectives for his department, emphasizing each of his goals were designed for the safety of parish residents.
“We will aggressively pursue criminals to the level our citizens expect, utilizing new software and technology to assist us,” he said. “The criminal element is constantly evolving and we have to try to get ahead of them.”
Technology will play a part in law enforcement efforts during 2025, Parker said.
“We invested in systems that allow us to work not only in our parish, but across the state,” he said. “We have software programs that help locate suspects in numerous jurisdictions.
One program Parker identified as contributing to safety, both for the public and Webster deputies, is CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch).
“It’s what dispatchers use to know where our people are. It’s a safety issue with me,” he said. “We don’t necessarily want to know where we are at all times, but we’re interested in response time. Dispatchers know who’s closest to a call for service, and saving a few minutes may save a life or solve a crime.”
Training programs will be expanded, and can now be conducted at the parish’s new training area near the old Penal Farm site. Now, Parker said, officers no longer have to go outside the parish for their annual certification.
“You can’t put a price tag on training. We now have an additional training deputy in firearms and other certifications,” he said. “We train our deputies here and we train those from other parishes. We want to be ready for maximum performance. The more proficient we are, the safer our officers and the public will be.”
Training programs are available for other groups outside law enforcement, Parker said.
“We also want to engage with schools, churches, civic groups and organizations…to provide active shooter training,” he said. “We will be glad to do a walk-through and give guidance. Our best advice is to always be vigilant and know we’re always available.”
On the question of school safety, Parker said the WPSO provides 12 resource officers in parish schools. Those officers undergo constant training in order to be prepared for scenarios that might arise.
Parker told Lions members his office has a very good working relationship with other law enforcement agencies in the parish, and is always ready to provide assistance.
“We have a great working relationship with the Minden Police Department. Chief (Jared) McIver and I talk weekly to communicate how we can best keep people safe,” he said.
“Anytime we’re called on to assist, we will be there. That includes parades and special events like St. Jude.”
Responding to a question concerning a new women’s prison in the parish, Parker said he has pledged $2 million to help the parish police jury construct the 66-bed facility that was initially bid at $7.9 million. Female inmates are currently housed on the top floors of the parish courthouse.
“There’s a great need in the parish for a women’s prison, and we feel obligated to assist,” he said. “The courthouse is just not sufficient and it’s time for an upgrade.”
Parker said 65 female inmates are currently housed at the courthouse, “…and many sheriffs across the region depend on us to help them. We have about 15 Webster Parish females there, the rest are from out of parish and we’re paid for those.”
Parker said the problem of putting juveniles in detention is not just a local problem but one that is an issue statewide.
“We have access to only two beds at the Ware Youth Center in Coushatta and we have to reach out to other sheriffs for assistance in incarceration of juveniles,” he said. “The problem with going to other jurisdictions is the expense, which is around $300 per day. We’re hoping to create central facilities that may be state funded, but that will be tough.”
Parker said there had been talk of using the courthouse facility to house juveniles once female inmates are moved to the new women’s prison, “…but that probably won’t happen.” Plans call for the courthouse jail area to be converted to storage space.