DANIEL TYLER GOODEN

CONVENT – When St. James Parish Sheriff Willy Martin headed to Washington D.C. for the National Sheriff’s Association mid-winter meeting, he turned what could have been a relaxing trip into a chance to remind Louisiana representatives what their constituents are worried about here at home. It was non-stop from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., said Martin. Since the sheriff holds no office in the NSA he was able to divert time from his trip to talking to his and other congressmen and representatives about what was going on in his parish. Along with other local sheriffs, “We wanted to build a repertoire with our congressmen,” said Martin. They didn’t go with an agenda but used the opportunity given to talk about the energy crises and how hard it is beginning to hit St. James Parish. “They are all aware of the problem, but the meetings brought it closer to home, how it effects the parish and law enforcement,” said Martin. When Martin got a chance to sit in on a senate committee meeting it so happened it was an energy and commerce meeting, and members were discussing exactly what the sheriffs had talked about with their own representatives. Along with the discussion of energy in southern Louisiana, Martin also brought along a proposal for a technology center he hopes to establish at Nicholls State University. The center would focus on integrating new technologies into the criminal justice system. With better technological support, law enforcement would save time and money by making every part of the justice system more efficient, he said. Nicholls State is known for its training and support center for information technology. “We need the university’s support with staffing and funding,” said Martin. The center would provide local law enforcement personnel feasibility studies, technology update studies, architecture and software development, data collection and analysis training, geospatial information systems and crime mapping, curriculum development, advanced technology training and other important services. The long term payoff of the center would be to provide assistance to local law personnel for advanced technology needs, broaden local education, training and technology curriculum and stimulate the local economy through creation of high tech and high paying jobs. The funding would hopefully be attained through grant monies. Martin had the chance to witness Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley receive a grant check for a project. “It was definitely a learning experience in the best way to operate up there,” said Martin. Martin, a history buff, did find the time to experience some of the important collection of memorials and monuments of Washington, D.C. With an hour or so between meetings Martin would dash off to take in the landmarks and dash back to the next set of meetings. “I feel I should have met with our delegation long ago. It was good that we took the opportunity to met with our total delegation,” said Martin. Martin accompanied sheriffs Kenneth Goss of Acadia Parish, Craig Weber of Lafourche Parish, Ed Aubert of Iberia Parish, Rick Edwards of Jefferson Davis Parish and I.F. Hingle of Plaquemines Parish to the conference.