Coalition Partner Update # 4

Building Partnership & Coalition

SafeBR continues to grow with over 227 organizations and individuals and counting that have come together to formally join the coalition. A list of partners can be found online at safebr.org/join.  We urge any organizations or individuals interested in supporting, joining, or learning more about the coalition to visit safebr.org.

Fundraising & Support

SafeBR is resourcing a 3-year funding strategy to leverage $65M toward the 3 Pillars of focus (~$50M in public funding and $15M in private investment). To date, we have identified over $7.5M for SafeBR and urge supporters to visit safebr.org/support to contribute.

SafeBR Partner Meeting Scheduled:

The SafeBR Working Group has officially scheduled our first in-person coalition meeting, convening all partners, on Wednesday, May 10th at 4:00 PM at The Executive Center (250 S. Foster Drive; Baton Rouge, LA 70806). At that time, we will share ways for Partners to further engage; begin to understand and support initiatives; discuss alignment on crucial data; hear from Law Enforcement Leadership; and much more. While SafeBR is not responsible for public safety, we believe through your partnership, we will drive focused investment of time and resources into making our community safer.

Core Pillar Updates

SafeBR will spark immediate action while building long-term solutions to support community safety, focusing on solutions that drive the three pillars of SafeBR: 

Pillar 1.
New resources for law enforcement to enhance new and existing strategies proven effective in stopping violent crime as well as individual assistance for first responders injured in the line of duty.

Pillar 2.
Community investment in evidence-based strategies to disrupt the cycle of crime and violence.

Pillar 3.
Accountability and transparency for the entire system of justice and our collective investments

• EBR Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) Crime Trends Dashboard (Pillar 1)

  The Baton Police Department posted its 2023 Community Report on its website www.brpd.com.  Please download a copy of the annual report to learn about the dedicated service demonstrated by the men and women of the Baton Rouge Police Department

  For more information see the link below:

  https://www.brla.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16841/BRPD22-01-Annual-Report_Digital_FINAL

• Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) Legislative Agenda Update (Pillar 1)

SafeBR, in collaboration with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, is supporting legislation to address the use of ankle monitoring systems for those individuals out on bail. If you’ve ever seen a news story about a person committing a homicide who is out on bail and whose ankle monitor was off or not being worn, you’ve probably wondered how that could possibly happen if the company was doing its job of close oversight of the movement of these individuals. There have been repeated instances of individuals out on bond and required to wear an ankle monitor, who have then done something violent again, only to have law enforcement discover that their tracking device wasn’t functioning or being worn. Unlike bail bond or towing companies, there is very little regulatory guidance of the companies who are operating ankle monitoring systems.

SafeBR supports the need to fix this for the improvement of the safety of Baton Rouge and the entire state. BRAC helped draft new legislation for this legislative session with advice and guidance from law enforcement partners. The National Institute of Justice, a division of the US Department of Justice, has recommended best practices for state laws to govern the proper and effective use of electronic monitoring systems. Legislation being considered during this 2023 legislative session, filed by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, and will be co-authored by Lafayette Representative Stefanski and New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes, is seeking to update Louisiana’s laws for oversight of this type of tracking equipment. Our team would welcome your thoughts and suggestions on this legislation, or your help and support at the State Capital. In addition, we will be reviewing other filed bills related to public safety and seeking other opportunities to support changes that will help make Baton Rouge safer. 

View the legislation by clicking here:  https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=23RS&b=HB556&sbi=y

• Page-Rice Camera Initiative (Pillar 1)
  As mentioned previously, over 50 cameras have been purchased and are being installed in multiple Metro Council districts across the city. The initiative is working with the Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and the ATF to identify top crime “hot spots” and the businesses nearest those intersections to donate cameras to those locations with the most urgent need. 

  The Baton Rouge Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Foundation is accepting requests to be considered to receive a camera at no cost through its grant program and collecting donations for additional cameras. Please access the Page-Rice link on the SafeBR website to learn more (Support — SafeBR).