Hurricane Katrina Information Page
Bonner County SO responds to Call for Help
Greetings from Southeast Louisiana,
I am sorry for the delay in sending this email, this is the
first time I have had a chance to check or send email in nearly
two weeks.
First, let me thank you for your concern. It is humbling to see
the outpouring of support we are receiving nationwide. Calls,
emails, hundreds of volunteers to augment law enforcements
services, it makes me proud to see our law enforcement brothers
and sisters pull together and support each other in our times of
need.
These past two weeks have been unbelievable. In my 21 plus years
in law enforcement, I, like all officers in this region have
never, nor did we ever think, we would ever have to deal with
the ever-changing challenges facing us on almost an hourly
basis. Yet, we all handled them, accomplished the task, and got
the job done.
Thousands of our law enforcement members in Louisiana have lost
their homes and some have lost their entire family. I am hearing
similar tragedies from Gulf Coast states to our east. It is
difficult times for so many. You can only imagine the grief so
many are experiencing.
We may be down during these tough times, but remember tough
times don’t last, tough people do. As a region, we have turned
the corner and are on our way to recovery. We are survivors and
will rebuild. Once Southeast Louisiana heals, we will be
stronger than ever before.
The FOP has taken the lead in addressing the needs of the
officers in the field. The Louisiana FOP has purchased and
distributed thousands of dollars of supplies directly to the
officers in 20 or so agencies.
Each day produces new needs. I thank everyone who has sent or
has offered to send supplies, but I ask you to coordinate your
efforts with us before dispatching trucks here. It is far more
efficient for the FOP to buy the items needed in Baton Rouge and
have them in the officer’s hands immediately rather than put a
nationwide call for materials. Today’s needs are not next week’s
needs and that is when the materials arrive.
For example, in the initial stages, there was a need for Ammo.
The FOP purchased ammo, distributed it, and moved on to the next
needs which was clean underwear, followed by the next days needs
of fresh uniforms, (over 2,500 distributed with the help of
Gall’s), and so on. Days later, we are still receiving donations
of ammo long after the needs have changed. We do not have the
manpower to sort through the donated items being sent nor do we
have the volunteers since most all our members are working
countless hours at the law enforcement agencies.
In addition to sending supplies daily into the field and placing
them directly into the hands of the officers, we are funneling
messages from families and officers separated in the
evacuations. We have established a housing list, opened a police
family shelter, developed a support network for law enforcement
families, developed a critical incident response network to help
our members through this disaster, with the help of the DC Lodge
and Lodge President Lou Cannon, we have established a mobile
kitchen to feed hundreds of law enforcement officers daily, and
so much more. It is heartwarming to see how we have all pulled
together and are clearly making a difference.
We have been giving cash stipends to law enforcement officers,
regardless of FOP affiliation to help them reunite with their
families and we are in the process of developing a process in
which we can help our brothers and sisters get their lives back
in order. This costly task is and will continue to be our
greatest challenge for months to come. To date, we have
disbursed $20,000.
We are asking local lodges to assist us. The families of law
enforcement officers are disbursed all across the country.
Should any of these families make it to your city, please assist
them in anyway you can and let us know so we can provide
assistance as well.
As for financial contributions, our steadfast commitment to
assist Law Enforcement families will be costly and we sure could
use some help. Donations to this effort can be made directly to
the Grand Lodge Foundation.
www.grandlodgefop.org
You can rest assured that every penny collected through the
Fraternal Order of Police Hurricane Katrina Fund will aid law
enforcement officers affected in the Gulf Coast Region.
I also want to thank those of you whose cities are housing
residents from Southeast Louisiana. These are good people caught
in a really bad situation. Their lives have been disrupted to an
extent that is mind-boggling. They are homeless with an
uncertain future, their life possessions gone, they are
separated from their families, they are now unemployed, they
have been mislead by a political debacle that borders on
criminal, and they are confused by a political rhetoric spinning
blame towards someone else.
With the exception of a few that are exploiting this situation,
these people are certainly not reflective of the lawlessness
portrayed on the news media following the storm. At least, that
is what I understand; I have not had a chance to see any TV
since the storm struck.
On behalf of the 5,400 members of the Louisiana FOP, many of
whom are now homeless; I thank you for your concern and support.
We could not be prouder to be a member of the Fraternal Order of
Police. The support and assistance is phenomenal. We are forever
indebted.
Patrick Yoes
Louisiana State Lodge President
National Secretary
Fraternal Order of Police
RE
RELEASE
TO: THE NATION’S SHERIFFS
FROM
DATE
RE
READ CAREFULLY!
The initial request for assistance to Hurricane Katrina in
The National Sheriffs’ Association Command Post is not in operation at this time. However, persons wanting to contribute supplies may call 205 999-7856 or 205 335-1341 or email nsakatrinacp@tuscco.com to tell what resources are available. Thank you for your assistance and patience. No Sheriff stands alone.
Ted Sexton, President National Sheriffs’Association
HURRICANE WORK::::: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WANTED: