Business donates vests to Baldwin officers

BALDWIN — The donation by the Giles Automotive Group of 15 new bulletproof vests to the Baldwin Police Department is part of a larger overhaul of the department’s infrastructure by Police Chief Anthony Gibson, the chief said after the department was presented with the vests recently.

Gibson said the Baldwin Police Department is also getting upgrades to things such as the computer system, and has received five donated police units to replace older, high-mileage police vehicles. Another unit is likely on the way as well.

“We had vests, we had units donated by Carencro (police), we have brand new computers we got in our office for patrol, dispatch and administration,” Gibson said. “Since I took office we’ve had a whole lot we’ve been doing to accomplish what I promised during the election — training, better equipment, tools to help officers do their jobs, stuff like that.

“We’re going to change the structure of our department — we’re trying to upgrade everything we have.”

The chief said he learned of the donation shortly after he took office in January.

Prior to the donation, the Baldwin police had to borrow vests from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in order for officers to go on patrol.

“Since we got this now from Giles, that was a blessing for us,” he said.

Two fully equipped police units were donated to Baldwin by the Carencro Police Department, one was donated by the Berwick Police Department, and two more were donated by the Ruston police, Gibson said. He thinks Broussard police will send one next month. Gibson said those units will replace all current units with more than 200,000 miles on them, for the safety of his officers.

“Our budget situation was kind of weak,” Gibson said. “We’re striving along. We’re getting there. We appreciate everything from the mayor, the town aldermen and everything people donated to us.”

Gibson praised the mayor and town aldermen for working to help improve the police department’s situation.

“They’re helping us with a lot of issues,” Gibson said. “I’ve got a great working staff (in the police department). We just need help from the community and the judges to make Baldwin a safe place again.”

Giles presented the vests to Gibson and other Baldwin police officers at Giles Nissan in Lafayette.

“Police officers go out into the community day after day with a chance for their lives to be in danger,” Giles said. “Being able to provide these local heroes that are dedicated to protecting the community with the necessary equipment to face that danger in a safer way is an honor and a privilege.

“These officers faithfully perform their duties and serve the community, and I am so grateful for the brave work they perform.”
Giles and his auto group have donated to law enforcement departments throughout Acadiana since 2016. The Baldwin Department is one of several local law enforcement departments to be given the life-saving gifts over the past few years.

A press release from Giles Automotive said Giles and his company consider giving back to the community to be of the utmost importance.

“Donating bulletproof vests to law enforcement across Acadiana is just one example of the many worthy causes in which Giles participates,” the statement read. “From partnering with Hunters for the Hungry to help feed families across Louisiana to providing funds to assist Dreams Come True of Louisiana, an organization dedicated to making dreams come true for children with terminal illness, Mr. Giles and Giles Automotive are dedicated to uplifting the community, and they encourage the other business leaders and community members of Acadiana to give back as well.”