Wednesday, May 17, 2006                                 Contact:  Melanie Lee
For Immediate Release                                      Phone: 337-948-3688

 St. Landry Parish Courthouse Adds Fire Alarm System

(Opelousas, LA) – The addition of an alarm system completes the final phase of a $75,000 security upgrade for the St. Landry Parish Courthouse. 

 Work crews wrapped up installation of the alarm system about a week ago. The $15,000 system, installed throughout the courthouse, features 21 smoke detectors, 48 horns, and 4 heat detectors.

”The new system will help to not only protect personnel and visitors of the courthouse, but will also help to ensure that thousands of documents are safeguarded in the event of a fire,” said Parish President Don Menard.

 One year ago, work began on security upgrades for the courthouse. Since then, an x-ray machine was added to the front entrance security station allowing deputies to detect metals as well as plastics, twenty-five panic alarm buttons were installed throughout the courthouse, and cameras were installed in the nearby jail annex.  Courthouse employees also began using the Court Street entrance only to both enter and exit the courthouse.

 “An average of 500 people visit the courthouse each day,” said St. Landry Parish Deputy Mitch Bergeron, who works courthouse security.  “Since May of 2005, the security system has led us to make several drug arrests,” adds Bergeron, “we’ve also confiscated over 100 knives.”

 “Government is obligated to protect its citizens, especially those that enter and work within its own buildings,” said Parish President Don Menard.

 Future plans for the courthouse are to place cameras around the exterior of the courthouse.  The advanced security system for the Courthouse was funded through a Federal Homeland Security grant.