January 21, 2021
January 20, 2021
STPSO Releases 2020 Crime Stats
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith today (January 20, 2021) released the 2020 crime statistics for unincorporated St. Tammany Parish. (Please see attached charts)
The agency continues to report a clearance rate of nearly twice the national average for violent crimes and more than two and half times the national average for non-violent crimes, reinforcing Sheriff Smith’s promise to hold criminals accountable for crimes committed in St. Tammany.
“I am extremely pleased with the hard work and dedication of all of our employees who have contributed to another year of successful crime fighting,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “This is a testament to the agency as a whole’s determination to keep St. Tammany Parish safe and hold criminals accountable for their actions.”
The agency has seen a decrease in non-violent crimes. Sheriff Smith said is in large part to the success of the agency’s many social media’s campaigns focused on educating the public on the need to lock their vehicle doors and secure their valuables.
“Keeping crime rates down is a partnership between law enforcement and the community we serve,” Sheriff Smith said, “and we are blessed to live and serve in an area that respects, appreciates and works with law enforcement.”
While the reported violent crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery, assault and battery, saw a slight increase in 2020 over 2019 in unincorporated St. Tammany, Sheriff Smith said this is part of a national trend partially attributed to Covid-19, which led to an increase in domestic violence and narcotics-related crimes.
He asks that anyone with information about crimes occurring in our parish, to submit a tip through the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office website (www.STPSO.com), by calling the narcotics tip line (1-888-GO-2-JAIL), or by calling Crimestoppers. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward through Crimestoppers.
Wilmer Quick Stop Theft Suspects Sought by TPSO
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Detectives are trying to identify the male subjects in the photos. They are suspects in thefts at Wilmer Quick Stop on January 16 and 17, 2021. Upon exiting the store, the subjects entered a dark colored Honda with a temporary license plate.
Anyone able to identify the subjects is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-554-JAIL.
Body of Missing Man (Matthew Cade Dillon) Recovered
On January 6, 2021, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s assistance to locate Matthew Cade Dillon. On January 19, 2021, Dillon’s body was discovered in a wooded area off of Jim Edwards Road.
It was reported that Dillon, age 36, was last seen on December 12, 2020, when he was dropping off a car in Mt. Hermon.
Agencies participating in the January 19 search included the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Franklinton Police Department and the Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog Team. The canines were able to discover the body which has been tentatively identified as Dillon, pending an autopsy to make a final determination of cause of death and positive identification. At this time, foul play is not suspected.
Sheriff Randy Seal commented. “While this is not the outcome for which we had hoped, this does bring some closure to concerned family members and friends. I am grateful for the assistance of all law enforcement officers as well as the canines and handlers of the Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog team.”
Franklinton Police Department Accepting Applications
The Franklinton Police Department is currently accepting applications for two (2) full-time Louisiana POST Level 1 law enforcement officers. This opening is for an entry-level, uniformed patrol officer who is already certified.
The starting hourly wage is $14.00. Upon completion of FTO, the pay rate increases to $16.00 per hour.
Benefits include the following: uniforms and equipment provided, health-care and retirement, and yearly uniform allowance.
Applications can be obtained from dispatch or at this link:
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
January 19, 2021
Amite Man Dies in Two-Vehicle Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, shortly before 6:00 am, Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a fatal crash on LA 16 west of LA 449 in St. Helena Parish. The crash claimed the life of 69-year-old Clarence Griffin of Amite.
The initial investigation revealed that Griffin was westbound on LA 16 in a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado when an eastbound 2018 Toyota Tundra, driven by 65-year-old Terry MacDonald crossed the center line in front of him. The vehicles impacted head on and came to rest in the roadway.
MacDonald as well as a 16-year-old passenger were properly restrained and severely injured. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Griffin was not restrained during the crash and died on the scene. Impairment is not suspected to be a causal factor in the crash. As part of the ongoing investigation, a blood sample was taken for scientific analysis. The investigation is ongoing and any charges from this incident will be forwarded to the St. Helena Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
January 18, 2021
Sheriff Randy Seal Announces 2021 LSA Scholarship Program
The LSA Scholarship Program will award scholarships providing assistance to worthy Washington Parish students in furthering their education and training with resources made available through the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program.
Scholarships of a maximum of $500 each will be awarded to ONE graduating high school student. There are no restrictions on the purposes for which scholarships are spent. The scholarships are not loans and will be awarded as gifts to defray the rising costs of tuition and related expenses in higher education. The only limitations are that applicants be permanent residents of Louisiana; scholarships be utilized in higher education within the State of Louisiana; and students be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate students.
Completed applications must be submitted to the Sheriff of the Parish of the applicant’s permanent Louisiana resident by April 1, 2021. Further, applicants must be eligible for admission to the school indicated on the application. The award will only be paid for attendance of high learning within the state. All scholarships winners will be announced by May 1, 2021.
I am pleased to be able to bring this scholarship to eligible Washington Parish students who are bound for higher education.
Use this link to access program guidelines and application forms: https://www.lsa.org/scholarship
Completed applications may be emailed to Chief Civil Deputy Brent Jones at bjones@wpso.la.gov or hand delivered to WPSO-Franklinton at 1002 Main Street, Franklinton or WPSO-Bogalusa at 302 Mississippi Avenue, Bogalusa, LA.
Randy "Country" Seal
Sheriff