Club News for July 11, 2012
Civic Associations hear district attorney
District Attorney Hillar Moore III spoke to the Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Civic Associations on June 14 about crime and violence in Baton Rouge and how communities and neighborhoods can help.
Moore said crime in Baton Rouge has little to do with the population surge from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina but has to do with a lack of education and not having a stable family or parents present.
He said this is a nationwide problem.
Moore’s office has about 150 employees and has a 95 percent to 98 percent conviction rate, he said. There are about 25,000-30,000 adult cases and about 8,000 juvenile cases a year.
Moore discussed the area in the 70805 zip code of roughly three square miles which accounts for 40 percent of murders in East Baton Rouge Parish. He said Operation Brave will start in October and will connect “players” in the area with ministers and community groups who can offer help, jobs and counseling.
Moore and Assistant District Attorney Tracey Barbera answered questions.
FGBRCA meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the BREC Tennis Center, 7505 Independence Blvd. The next meeting will be held Thursday.
Louisiana CURE discusses legislation
Louisiana Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants met on June 12 at Catholic Charities to discuss updates on bills that passed at the recent legislative session.
Bills involved prison reform, probation and parole fees, which will now be collected by a collection agency charging 10 percent, and the new method for calculating good time for inmates.
Members agreed Baton Rouge needs a specialized mental health court and possibly a night court.
Marine Corps League lauds Young Marines
The Choctaw Detachment of the Marine Corps League presented a Distinguished Citizens Award on June 11 to Ed Davis, commander of the Baton Rouge Young Marines, for the Young Marines’ support at a recent state convention held in Baton Rouge. Commandant Dick Brandt made the presentation.
At that convention, four Choctaw Detachment members were elected to state office: Hillar Moore, junior division vice commandant; Victor Beverson, junior past commandant; Robert Finley, chaplain; and Ernest Watson, sergeant-at arms.
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