Gifted students at Glen Oaks Park Elementary School learned about a special law enforcement team at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, August 25.  Assistant Principal Bernard Williams said Sgt. James Cooper (pictured demonstrating protective gear) and other members of the Special Community Anti-Crime Team (SCAT) talked to students about their jobs, their equipment, law enforcement and the areas of evidence, suspicion and proof.

Deputies try to visit area schools regularly and talk to students about the importance of staying in school, off drugs and out of trouble.  They also take time to stop and connect with the kids on the street, talk to them about these things and attempt to have a positive impact on them.
SCAT operates under the community policing approach. The methods involve residents taking proactive roles in working with law enforcement agencies to protect the community and make neighborhoods safer and healthier.  It requires law enforcement and citizens join together as partners in the course of both identifying and effectively addressing crime and disorder issues.