By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – After a second organizational meeting, the Belle Terre neighborhood of LaPlace is one step closer to reinstating the neighborhood watch program, which has essentially been inactive since Hurricane Katrina.

Raj Pannu, president of the Belle Terre Civic Association, started drumming up interest in redeveloping the program in early 2011. Now, she said, many blocks have already organized into crime watch units, and she is encouraging those streets that have not yet done so to get the names of their Crime Watch teams together by May 7, when the neighborhood will host a kick-off event.

The event will be held on the neutral ground in the 300 block of St. Andrews Boulevard from 9 a.m. to noon.

“It will be more of a networking and get-to-know-your-neighbors event,” said Pannu.

Residents who have not yet signed up for the neighborhood watch can do so at the May 7 free kick off, where there will also be food and fun on tap.

Additionally Sheriff Wayne Jones and Capt. Mike Hoover of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department will be on-hand to answer questions for neighborhood residents.

Besides forming Crime Watch teams, residents of Belle Terre and nearby subdivisions will be given decals to put on their homes to make sure any would-be thief knows they are being watched.

Pannu noted, however, that while the event is free to attend, there are costs involved with running the neighborhood watch as well as the civic association in general, so she is encouraging local businesses to provide sponsorships.

Visit www.btca-laplace.com or call 504-417-3282 for more information.