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LAPLACE — Due to COVID-19 concerns, Citizens Academy classes with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office have been temporarily placed on hold. The program will be resumed in 2021.

Last month, the SJSO announced that the Citizen’s Academy would be held from Oct. 7 through Nov. 18 at the Patrol Headquarters in LaPlace. The 2020 session was initially going to be held in the spring before the statewide COVID-19 shutdown changed the plans.

The SJSO announced the newest postponement this week, stating, “We look forward to seeing students for our Spring 2021 session.”

Recognizing that community involvement plays a crucial role in fighting crime, Tregre began the Citizens Academy to strengthen partnerships between the community and law enforcement. The free program is open to the public to provide an insiders’ view of the operations of the sheriff’s office in a relaxed and interactive setting.

Participants must be at least 21 years old and live or work in St. John Parish. For more information about the 2021 program, please call 985-359-8685.

COVID-19 concerns also led to the recent cancellation of the annual SJSO Night Out Against Crime parties. Tregre encouraged residents to change their porch lights to a blue bulb this month to show support not only for St. John officers, but for law enforcement agencies across America.

With in person gatherings limited, the St. John Sheriff’s Office is turning toward October Awareness efforts.

Sheriff Mike Tregre reminds the public that October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Residents can visit https://bit.ly/3mxZngrto find ways to engage, educate and inspire others to put an end to bullying.

The SJSO is also observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

“Community members have an obligation to recognize, address and end domestic violence because it affects many aspects of our parish … crime rates, public health, jobs and families, especially the children,” Tregre said.

To help friends, neighbors and communities, a No More campaign is underway nationwide. Click https://nomore.org/campaigns/dvam/ for information.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please call the SJSO Criminal Investigations Division at 985-359-8769.

Victims also may call the Metro Centers for Community Advocacy at 888-411-1333 or Lynne’s House at 985-536-3971.