It's Been 18 Years (The Barbara Blount Case)

Beyond Bars: Choices and Consequences

In this episode of “Behind The Scenes”,  Sheriff Jason Ard sits down with Desmond Kennedy and Rashan Williams of “Beyond Bars”. Beyond Bars is a youth-focused violence prevention and deterrence initiative led by Capital Region Crime Stoppers and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Timestamps 02:09 Desmond Shares His Past 11:54 Rashan Williams Tells His Story 17:49 Gang Life in Louisiana 23:14 Learning From Prison 25:06 Regret and Redemption 27:24 Personal Responsibility Matters 29:21 Protecting the Program 36:59 Call to Support Mentoring Keywords local law enforcement, anonymous tips, detectives, Youth Crime, Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers, Beyond Bars

Partnering with Capital Region Crime Stoppers

In this episode of “Behind The Scenes”,  Sheriff Jason Ard sits down with Capital Region Crime Stoppers to discuss their partnership with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. They explain how the program collects anonymous tips through phone, web, and the P3 app, how information is routed to detectives, and how rewards are handled, including the First 48 program for certain homicide tips. They also give a brief history of Crime Stoppers and describe the local program’s long operation since 1982, including its anonymous tip system, rewards, and crime-solving work. Finally, we talk about the move from Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers to Capital Region Crime Stoppers to reflect the nine-parish coverage area, and they discuss the Beyond Bars: Choices and Consequences outreach program for schools and community events. Timestamps 03:11 Crime Stoppers History 08:31 Anonymous Tip Process 11:58 Reenactments and News 16:24 Beyond Bars Program 21:39 Funding and Donations Keywords Capital Region Crime Stoppers, local law enforcement, anonymous tips, detectives, First 48 program, homicide tips, Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers, Beyond Bars: Choices and Consequences

The School Year In Review: With the First Ever School Resource Officer In LP

In this episode we speak with Lieutenant Paul Golmon about his nearly 33-year career in law enforcement and his work as Livingston Parish’s first school resource officer. We discuss the end of the school year, including graduations and parties, and the need for parents to pay close attention to underage drinking, impaired driving, and supervision. We also cover how school resource officers handle issues such as theft, missing students, weapons, drugs, senior pranks, and vaping, and how they work with school staff to support students and keep them in school.

It's Been 18 Years (The Barbara Blount Case)

In this episode of Behind the Scenes with Sheriff Jason Ard, we explore the 2008 disappearance of Barbara Blount, a case that remains unresolved and deeply affects the Holden, Louisiana community. We discuss the perplexing circumstances of her vanishing, including the state of her home when she was reported missing, and the challenges faced by investigators due to severe weather impacting search efforts. Sheriff Ard and detectives recount their experiences at the scene and the investigative process, highlighting key details such as the cordless phone found nearby and the implications of her home's condition. Through the reflections of law enforcement officials, we emphasize the ongoing quest for justice and the importance of community involvement in uncovering new leads. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of unresolved cases and the hope for closure in Barbara's story.

To Serve and Protect: The Reality of Patrol Work

In this episode, I explore the critical functions of the Uniform Patrol Division at the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office with Lieutenants Billy Thomas and Trey Roberts. We discuss the challenges of policing in our rapidly growing community, the unpredictable nature of first responder work, and the importance of education and public safety. The lieutenants share insights on rigorous training, handling high-stakes scenarios, and community engagement efforts like the Christmas Crusade. We emphasize the need for compassion and understanding in officer-community interactions, highlighting the dedication of our patrol officers in maintaining safety and trust in Livingston Parish.