Bossier Parish Sheriff seeks donations 'to fight crime.' But is that where the money is really going?

Plus: Air Force love affair spills national security secrets. Benton Rd. lane closure. The power of a private conversation about Bossier.

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Beyond Bossier

• Nikki Haley's campaign is ending. Trump/Biden rematch set for November.

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• Gov. Landry signs concealed carry and other tough-on-crime bills into law.

Bossier Parish Sheriff appeals for donations 'to fight crime.' But is that where the money is really going?

OPINION by Hal Bundrick

Bossier Parish citizens are proud to support law enforcement. We do it every day by obeying laws, respecting law enforcement officers — and with our hard-earned tax dollars. 

The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office is well funded, flush with cash, holding millions of dollars in its accounts, yet it has issued "an appeal to citizens to join in the fight against crime."

Asking citizens to donate money as a voluntary show of support for law enforcement is one thing. But saying the money raised will aid in the "fight against crime" is disingenuous at best and likely downright misleading. 

Sheriff Julian Whittington, along with the other 63 parish Sheriffs, is asking citizens to contribute to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Honorary Membership Program.

While Louisiana residents struggle to meet the rising costs of groceries, gasoline, and the other scourges of inflation, parish Sheriff's departments, among the richest public agencies in the state, are asking for contributions to their nonprofit, which, according to third-party charity ratings, scores poorly in standards of accountability for nonprofits. 

"With government funding becoming increasingly difficult to secure, the membership drive has taken a greater importance than ever before," said Sheriff Julian Whittington. "The funding is vital to helping us carry out our mission of making our communities safer places to live, work and play."

But sheriff departments are mostly taxpayer-funded. Local taxes, including property and sales taxes, are the main source of revenue for most sheriff departments. The state of Louisiana provides some financial assistance to sheriff departments through various grants and programs. And the federal government also provides funding to sheriff departments, often for specific purposes such as drug enforcement or crime prevention.

But your tax dollars drive the primary funding for parish law enforcement. 

Where the donations are going

In fact, donations to the Louisiana Sheriff's Honorary Membership Program have little to do with "making our communities safer placed to live, work and play." 

According to the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Honorary Membership Program website, donations are dedicated to the funding of:

• A $500 scholarship awarded to one college-bound graduating high school student in each parish.  

• "Statewide distribution of timely public service news columns" relating to crime prevention and public safety.

• "Statewide distribution of special seasonal public safety campaigns" throughout the year, including the Sheriffs’ Summer Safety Campaign, Back to School Campaign, and Holiday Safety campaign.

• "Training and educational opportunities to law enforcement personnel statewide."

• An annual newsletter.

• "Research (criminal justice, corrections, and related topics)."

• "Legislation."

• And the "Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics."

While perhaps worthy projects, these are not initiatives necessarily designed to aid in the "fight against crime."

They are more related to public relations.

Sheriff departments are among the most well-funded agencies in all of state and local government. In fact, Sheriff Whittington could fund a $500 college scholarship from the interest earned on the cash held by his department — in just two days.

Sheriff Whittington, you have our respect. We are happy to support you financially. Some of us are even willing to throw you a few extra bucks as a measure of thanks.

But at a time when Louisiana residents are facing increasing economic pressures, it seems these initiatives might be best funded by a small portion of the millions of dollars held in parish Sheriff department accounts. 

But not funded by a misleading appeal for taxpayer dollars. 

Top secret love affair: Air Force employee accused of leaking classified intel on dating site

A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel working as a civilian for the U.S. Air Force assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base is accused of leaking highly sensitive national security secrets to a woman he met on a foreign dating website.

David Franklin Slater, 63, of Nebraska, allegedly shared classified information related to Russia's war in Ukraine with an individual claiming to be Ukrainian. The information, deemed "TOP SECRET," was obtained by Slater through his work at the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).

Prosecutors allege Slater, who held a Top Secret security clearance, communicated with the individual through the dating platform's messaging system. The woman, who called Slater her "secret informant love" and "secret agent," reportedly requested sensitive information from him on multiple occasions.

According to the indictment, Slater willingly provided classified details regarding military targets and Russian military capabilities. 

"As alleged, Mr. Slater, an Air Force civilian employee and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, knowingly transmitted classified national defense information to another person in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information."

Slater faces charges of conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

An indictment is an allegation of wrongdoing. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Bossier City traffic hassle: Lane closure on Benton Rd. begins today

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says that beginning today, March 6, 2024, at 7:00 a.m., the southbound outside (right) lane of LA 3 (Benton Road) will be closed from Melrose Avenue to Citizens Bank Drive in Bossier City.

This lane closure is scheduled to last approximately four weeks and is necessary to allow the contractor for the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway project to continue construction on the new roadway that will connect to Benton Road.

Random thoughts from the editor

This is a powerful platform. And what I mean is, BossierNow's content is no longer on the internet. We're not driven to be ingested by some Google search algorithm or a social media feed.

It's just a writer/reporter and you, the reader. Imagine the things we can do. The ideas we can share. The noise we can eliminate from the frantic people trying to gin up clicks, views and followers. 

I urge readers to comment. Share your thoughts and concerns. Discuss issues like sensible human beings — without the confrontational hate that oozes out of every crack of the web.

This is a safe space. For Bossier City and Bossier Parish residents. 

Thank you for being here. 

– Hal Bundrick

Bossier City free time calendar

Live music and notable events for your consideration.

March 8: Whiskey Myers at the BGA.

March 16: The Wilder Blue brings their harmonious collective sound to Louisiana Grandstand.

March 17: Winter Jam at the BGA.

March 22: Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top at the BGA.

March 22: Jason Boland returns with his full band, Delectric Tour, to Louisiana Grandstand.

March 23: Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart brings his world-class band, The Fabulous Superlatives, to Louisiana Grandstand. 

March 24: The Love Hard Tour: Keyshia Cole, Trey Songz & Jaheim at the BGA.

April 12: Shreveport Blues Festival: Tucka, King George & Pokey Bear at the BGA.

April 15: The Harlem Globetrotters at the BGA.

April 20: Hank Williams Jr. at the BGA.

May 17: Marc Broussard and his father, Ted, return to the Louisiana Grandstand. Last year, they packed the house and had an unforgettable show. They'll bring another instrumentalist or two with them this year for an even bigger show.

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