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The Daily Review/Ivory Bibbins
Maj. John Kahl, left, and Detective Chris Crappell give a biting demonstration with K-9 Buddy during the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Night Out Against Crime Wednesday at the Bayou Vista Community Center.

Bayou Vista Night Out Against Crime

Community, deputies get chance to interact

Three days before St. Mary observes Red Ribbon Week, the sheriff’s office hosted its Night Out Against Crime Wednesday at the Bayou Vista Community Center.
“I love that I’ve been teaching my kids about good decisions, and they get to come out and have fun and see that,” said DARE Officer Winifred Sylve. “My kids get to see a different side of me outside the classroom. They also get to see the other roles that officers in the sheriff’s department do.”
The annual Night Out Against Crime is a community-building night in which members of the community and law enforcement agencies get together.
Skyla Gautreaux said her son Brayden, 8, “really likes it, and I think it is a great idea for community interaction.”
Scout Master Patrick Hebert brought Troop 104 to the event instead of hosting their typical meeting.
“I think it is an excellent source of awareness for the boys to see and learn about the things that go on in the parish,” Hebert said. “It’s great that it’s a lot of local people getting a chance to meet local law enforcement who are also local people.”
After tons of candy, stickers, games and food, the event ended with a candlelight vigil for domestic violence victims hosted by Chez Hope. Domestic violence survivor Tiffany Dupas gave her testimony of how she got away from her abuser.
“There was no peace. I called it the apartment of hell,” said Dupas.
Dupas was in a relationship with the father of her two kids, who would physically abuse her after arguments.
“He always carried a gun. One night I grabbed the gun but couldn’t pull the trigger,” said Dupas.
Dupas said that the worst incident with her abuser was Sept. 20, 2008, when her abuser shot her in the face and drove off.
Her abuser wasn’t charged, but Dupas said her abuser’s probation officer recognize the abuse and revoked his parole. Dupas later left him while he was in jail. She is now an advocate for Chez Hope and is happily married.
If the relationship costs you your peace, then it’s too much,” said Dupas. “You are a winner by simply walking away.”
The sheriff’s office K-9 Unit, Marine Unit, Training Division, Special Response Team, Uniform Patrol, Criminal and Narcotics Investigation Sections all took part.
Other agencies taking part included the U.S. Coast Guard, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Chez Hope, the American Red Cross, the Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department, and the Louisiana fire marshal.

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