By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office purchased 150 new Karbon Arms electronic immobilization devices in early February.
The new devices are reportedly superior to Taser International-brand EID products.
The EID is a safer alternative for officers to use when dealing with non-compliant suspects.
The Karbon EID allegedly improves upon the Taser’s design by adding a recessed cartridge, illuminated front sight, top-mounted push button power switch, the ability to use off-shelf batteries, a simplified rear display, one-handed cartridge ejection, rubber side grips and single shell construction. The device also does not require a daily spark test.
Maj. Steve Guidry, the officer that handled the project, said that 60 devices were purchased for a total of $1,026.
For now, only some deputies will carry the devices. Sheriff Mike Tregre said that so far, deputies have used the device during an incident on Feb. 11
in which two men robbed a woman at gunpoint while she was
in her vehicle. Tregre said that one suspect fled after the vehicle he was in crashed. The officer successfully immobilized the suspect using the device and was able to capture him with the help of a K-9 officer.
“We’ve used it one time, and it was very effective and nobody got hurt including the armed robbery suspect,” said Guidry.
“We deserve to go home in one piece just like everyone else,” said Tregre.
Tregre also said the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office was the only agency that did not utilize an EID device previously.
The St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office obtained the devices not only for the safety of officers in the line of duty but also for the citizens.