Police Chief Mitchell joins residents to rebuild community safety partnerships
PORT ALLEN — A small but determined group of residents gathered recently to revive Port Allen’s Neighborhood Watch program, starting in The Oaks subdivision as part of a broader effort to strengthen community-police partnerships throughout the city.
Police Chief Donovan Mitchell joined community organizer John Summers and several residents for the inaugural meeting, along with Detective Celestine and Assistant Police Chief Smith, emphasizing the department’s commitment to working directly with neighborhoods to address safety concerns before they escalate.
“We Can’t Be Everywhere at Once”
“Public safety is a group project,” said Detective Celestine during the meeting. “We can’t be everywhere at once, and we rely on each other to help pass information.”
The program focuses on observation and reporting rather than direct confrontation, with residents serving as the “eyes and ears” for law enforcement in their neighborhoods.
Police Department Transformation
Chief Mitchell acknowledged past perception problems with the department but emphasized significant changes under his leadership. The department now prioritizes community engagement and rapid response to resident concerns.
“When John brought this to my attention, I was going to start this back up so we could all get on the same page,” Mitchell said. “We’ve gotten away from the stuff that helped strengthen our community.”
The chief shared a personal example of the challenges facing residents, revealing that someone attempted to break into his marked police vehicle at his home during his first months in the neighborhood.
Technology and Communication
The program will utilize multiple communication methods, including:
- Facebook group: Port Allen Neighborhood Watch for community alerts
- GroupMe app: Text-based group messaging for quick updates Join Here
- Evidence submission system: Digital platform being developed by Assistant Police Chief Smith and Detective Celestine for residents to submit photos and videos directly to police
Detective Celestine emphasized that even basic security cameras can provide valuable evidence, noting that quality footage is now available from cameras costing as little as $50-60.
Citywide Expansion Planned
While starting in The Oaks, organizers emphasized the program welcomes residents from all areas of Port Allen.
“If you know someone who doesn’t live in The Oaks, they’re more than welcome to come and attend because we really would love for them to be here,” Summers explained. “We’re going to eventually be shifting from The Oaks to another neighborhood, to another neighborhood, keeping the word out there until we have to get the community center to hold everybody.”
The goal is bringing back neighborhood watch programs throughout Port Allen, with The Oaks serving as the starting point to build momentum.
Addressing Real Problems
During the meeting, residents shared specific concerns about suspicious activity on the levee, problem properties, and unreported incidents throughout the neighborhood. One participant noted discovering multiple neighbors who had experienced issues but never reported them to police.
“Until you get out there and actually start talking to the community, you won’t know what’s going on,” Chief Mitchell said. “A lot of people have gotten numb to reporting things that happen on a day-to-day basis.”
Trust Your Instincts
Assistant Police Chief Smith offered three key recommendations for residents:
- Trust your instincts — If something seems wrong, it probably is
- Encourage camera installation — Even basic systems provide valuable evidence
- Report everything — Small incidents can be puzzle pieces in larger investigations
“You know your space, your area, your comfort zone,” Smith told participants. “You know what happens, what doesn’t happen, what it sounds like and what it doesn’t.”
Growing Interest
Despite weather and summer travel limiting initial attendance, organizers report significant interest from residents on multiple streets. The program plans monthly meetings initially, with expansion as participation grows.
Chief Mitchell emphasized that no concern is too small for police attention, noting that addressing minor issues prevents them from becoming major problems.
Contact Information
Emergency: 911 Port Allen Police non-emergency: (225) 343-5525 Port Allen Police dispatch: (225) 490-8599 (Press 1 for dispatcher) WBR Sheriff’s Office non-emergency: (225) 383-2134 Police Department website: portallenpd.org
The next Neighborhood Watch meeting is planned for approximately one month from the initial gathering. Residents interested in participating or serving as block captains can contact organizers through the Port Allen Neighborhood Watch Facebook group.
The program represents a return to community-based policing principles that Chief Mitchell says once made Port Allen neighborhoods stronger and safer.
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