Last week, L’OBSERVATEUR asked readers what measures they would take to make our local school system safer, whether it meant protecting schools from outside threats or discouraging fighting in school hallways.

The discussion topic came after the most recent St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting. Sheriff Mike Tregre visited to present ideas on implementation of RAVE Panic Buttons, CPR and Stop the Bleeding training for teachers, increased school resource officer presence and Rape Aggression Defense classes in schools.

One of the most interesting pieces of feedback I received was via an email from Lester Millet III, Safety Agency Risk Manager / FSO Workgroup Chairman for the Port of South Louisiana.

Millet recently attended a Louisiana State Police meeting to discuss the RAVE Application, something he believes all schools need to sign up for. The RAVE mobile safety app, funded through the governor’s office for the first year for all k-12 schools, dispatches 911 operators and first responders with a panic button alert system.

Millet also shared the link to the Louisiana School Safety Initiative Multi Hazard Toolkit, compiled by the InfraGard Louisiana Members Alliance (ILMA). Millet is the principal contributor to the tool kit, intended to provide a robust and adaptable plan for school safety in schools across Louisiana.

The toolkit provides in-depth checklists on actions to take in active shooter, student violence tornado, chemical release and bomb threat situations. The toolkit also provides mitigation and prevention resources, which includes anti-bullying guidance.

I hope to do a more in-depth story about Millet’s involvement in this project in the future. The link to the toolkit can be found at https://www.infragard-la.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2019/03/InfraGard-Louisiana-School-Safety-Multi-Hazard-Toolkit-2018.pdf.

Here are the responses to our school safety question gathered from social media.

Your view on Facebook: What measures would you take to make our local schools safer for all students, teachers and staff?

• Bring Christ back in our public schools and good things will follow. — Bonnie Regas
  • I totally agree — Tammy August
  • You think Christian and Catholic schools don’t have some of these same issues? Religion can’t save all. — Tiffany PatrowskyBlystone
• Sheriff said that his troops responded to 30 fights. Ask for records.
  Why are the students fighting so much?? Social media postings, bullying or gang activity may be causes, correct? Regardless, it’s time for urgent intervention to get these behaviors under control! — Kristie Sterling Poellnitz

NEXT QUESTION

This election season, I’ve had the chance to talk to candidates running for Parish Council in the Oct. 12 election. Nearly every candidate I spoke to cited economic development/business growth as a Top 3 priority, noting we need to do a better job of attracting small business development in St. John Parish. Once opened, we must find better methods on supporting fledgling businesses so they can remain open. Local shopping and dining options keep revenue within the Parish, opening the door for greater quality of life investment.

L’OBSERVATEUR readers: What businesses would you like to see come to St. John the Baptist Parish, and why?

Please feel free to respond this question following question by email, a letter to the editor or on the L’OBSERVATEUR Facebook page. We have additionally started a “L’OBSERVATEUR Opinion Page” group that is open to new members. Community feedback will be published in an upcoming edition.

Brooke Robichaux is news editor at L’OBSERVATEUR. She can be reached at brooke.robichaux@lobservateur.com.