BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)–The Baton Rouge Police Department are trying out a new strategy to combat crime.
Canvassing in neighborhoods where crime is high, but trust is low for law enforcement. So far the officers have strolled in the Dixie and Eddie Robinson neighborhoods.
“We’re letting you know we’re here in the community,” said Jayton Montgomery, spokesperson, Baton Rouge Police Department. “Be boots on the ground, be visible.”
Sharon Terrasce has lived in the area for nearly seven decades. Just a week ago a man was shot and killed near her home.
I love this neighborhood as well, but it’s hard to get help,” she said. “If a shooting goes on, don’t say I didn’t see nothing, I mean it’s in your face, how you didn’t see it? We’ve got to stop the violence.”
Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman represents the district. She spent the afternoon with law enforcomnment talking to the residents.
“Letting them know that they definitely have a part to play in this clean up. And that’s clean up again of crime,” said Coleman.
Montgomery says too many lives have been lost but that could be prevented.
“Reach a hand out and hopefully a hand be reached back to us as a community. So we can stop the violence in this area, just not only this area here, but the entire city,” he said.
BRPD plan to canvas around the Capitol Area. Their main message is ‘if you see something, say something.”
