New internal security shows interdepartmental cooperation

One of the changes to hit Parish government since Parish President Dave Peralta took office has been a working relationship with the Sheriff’s office. Evidentiary of this ongoing dialogue for improving the Parish, Peralta cites, is the internal security officer, paid for by the administration and provided by the Sheriff’s office.
As President Peralta has been setting up this new government, following closely behind him one will find Sgt. Jarrod Gourgues of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“I’ve been assigned to Mr. Peralta,” was Sgt. Gourges’ statement.

President Peralta expounded upon what role Gourges plays for both security for the administration and interdepartmental relations for two officials taking over high Parish offices.

“There is no threat,” Peralta said. “Sheriff Stephens and Sheriff-elect Pohlmann offered me the services, for internal security and internal investigations.”
Peralta does pay for the duty, out of administrative funds, but says the joint effort is more than superficial.

“We had no building security, at all, and [Sgt. Gourgues] helps with that,” Peralta said. “We’re looking into cameras, for an expanded presence at all facilities, plus further internal security.”

The internal security measures should alleviate past compliance issues, Peralta said, such as burglaries or missing government equipment, a situation that has occurred in the past. The bonus with having an internal, on-call officer is it keeps deputies on the streets and gives Government a 24-hour go-to guy.
“I don’t have to call for a car to come off the streets, because I have a full-time Sgt. on staff,” Peralta said.

President Peralta also said that Gourges serves as a symbol for communication and cooperation between his administration and incoming Sheriff’s administration, something which Peralta promised during his campaign.

As for future updates of plans for his first 100-days of office, Peralta said he is still assessing the prior government’s structure, looking for places to make changes or expand powers.

“We have to assess what we have to make a determination and see what we need [for St. Bernard].”