Coalition Partner Update # 9
Building Partnership & Coalition
SafeBR continues to grow! We are asking you to forward this update to 5 individuals or organizations and encourage them to join the movement to create a safer city. Every Baton Rouge citizen committed to this vision can join online at safebr.org/join.
SafeBR Community Safety Partner Meeting Set!!!
Thursday, August 24th at 4:00 PM at
The Executive Center
(250 S. Foster Dr.; Baton Rouge, 70806)
The August gathering will explore how federal agencies and resources can reduce violent crime in our community with several special guests. To that end, SafeBR and our local law enforcement leadership are proud to welcome United States Senator Bill Cassidy as our featured speaker. Senator Cassidy will outline his actions related to public safety and what is being considered for new federal legislation, based on input at meetings hosted by SafeBR over the last year.
In addition, United States Attorney for the Middle District, the Honorable Ronald Gathe, Jr, another featured guest, will provide an overview of the efforts of the Department of Justice in Baton Rouge and Louisiana. District Attorney Hillar Moore will provide an overview of the engagement of local law enforcement in collaboration with federal agencies and special task forces that are collaborating on violent crime reduction. At this meeting, SafeBR’s partners will learn how all the federal partners are working to address violence and will have opportunities to ask questions about other ways they might be more effective.
Fundraising & Support:
SafeBR is resourcing a 3-year funding strategy to leverage $65M toward the 3 Pillars of focus (~$50M in public funding and $15M in private investment). To date, we have identified over $7.5M for SafeBR and urge supporters to visit safebr.org/support to contribute. If you, or your company, are ready to discuss investment in SafeBR initiatives, please reach out to Ethan Bush (ethan@thirtythreestrategies.com) and we will set a time to meet.
Core Pillar Updates
SafeBR will spark immediate action while building long-term solutions to support community safety, focusing on solutions that drive the three pillars of SafeBR:
Pillar 1.
New resources for law enforcement to enhance new and existing strategies proven effective in stopping violent crime as well as individual assistance for first responders injured in the line of duty.
Pillar 2.
Community investment in evidence-based strategies to disrupt the cycle of crime and violence.
Pillar 3.
Accountability and transparency for the entire system of justice and our collective investments
(Pillar 1)
Visit Baton Rouge Grants now available through Page-Rice Camera Initiative
A Baton Rouge initiative to install police cameras at businesses and support those identified as needed by law enforcement in high-crime areas received a $150,000 donation to surveil hotels in the capital city, officials announced this past Tuesday morning at a press conference.
Visit Baton Rouge, the city’s tourism marketing organization, is donating $150,000 to the Page/Rice Initiative to install security cameras at hotels across East Baton Rouge Parish in collaboration with The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation. The donation comes as part of Visit Baton Rouge’s strategic plan to increase tourism through 2025.
To Request a camera: Page/Rice Camera Initiative (brcollab.com)
Related Article: Agency gives $150K for cameras to monitor hotels for crime | Crime/Police | theadvocate.com
(Pillar 2)
Truancy:
Local education and leaders convened for a third meeting on truancy issues with EBR Schools. Truancy is down almost 20% from the prior school year but remains alarming. The school district’s new budget includes some new resources for truancy outreach. The working group continues to meet actively on potential new solutions.
(Pillar 3)
Updated Crime Stats: Local law enforcement leadership has released their latest combined report on violent crime statistics for the year. They show:
Second-quarter crime stats show homicides are down 8.6% from 2022, but still trending above pre-COVID levels.
Non-fatal shootings have gone down further than homicides, but also above 2019.
Gun violence overall is down about 18%. You can review the full report at this link below:
60 Day Goals
Mid-August Partner Meeting (Federal Crime Focus)
Prioritization of SafeBR investment projects and provide Comprehensive Case for Support to Coalition Partners
Rotary Club of Baton Rouge Presentation on SafeBR - Sep 6, 2023
Related Articles:
Sen. John Kennedy: Crime policies sink Louisiana businesses | Opinions and Editorials | nola.com
Gun violence in East Baton Rouge is down by 8% thanks to community outreach program (msn.com)
SafeBR is a coalition of aligned public, private, and non-profit organizations dedicated to making Baton Rouge a safer community. SafeBR updates, crime statistics, funding priorities, and a comprehensive list of leaders in support of SafeBR can be viewed by the public at safebr.org.