Operation Back-up

While watching the continuing coverage of Katrina's aftermath, I've been waiting for an opportunity to do something helpful that seemed like a good fit. An article in the weekend Spokesman and another yesterday's local paper opened that door for me. It's called "Operation Backup." It's being coordinated by the Bonner County Sheriff's Dept. and its police brotherhood.

The project will provide police backup for the weary law officers in the South and heaps of donated supplies and equipment for the folks in Louisiana's St. Charles Parish. Located just west and slightly south of New Orleans, St. Charles is one of the state's smaller parishes which was formed in 1807 and named for Saint Charles Borromeo who died in 1584.

Today five local sheriff's deputies with trucks loaded to the brim will leave Sandpoint enroute to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's office. Along their way through Southern Idaho, they'll pick up more Idaho law enforcement personnel in Coeur d'Alene, Boise and Twin Falls. Once there, these officers will be performing a variety of law enforcement duties as backups for the local law officers.

I learned yesterday that they plan to spend three weeks in the area. Their travel expenses will come out of pocket and from community donations. Sheriff's records supervisor Tiara Abey told me that a fund will be set up at a bank for people to continue donating to this cause. I'll have that information when it's available. By 4 p.m. yesterday afternoon, $15,000 had already been donated, along with huge amounts of supplies for the law officers and for distribution once they get there.

The community outpouring has been so generous that Sheriff Elaine Savage plans to leave Sunday for Louisiana with a third vehicle loaded with supplies. She's giving up her days off to make the trip. She also promised me that her deputies will provide updates about their experiences along the way. I'm hoping to pass this information along through my blog.

For now, I encourage any readers, especially locals, to consider this grass roots effort as an opportunity to donate to the massive numbers of needs associated with the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. The project provides us a tangible connection with familiar faces who will be taking our generous Bonner County spirit along with them as they do their challenging work. The officers slated to leave here today include Captain Jim Drake, Deputy Victor Vachon, Deputy Ron Pell, Deputy Brian Martinez, and Detective Christian Frye.

Elaine Savage and her team have been touched with the already-generous response from our local citizenry and business community as evidenced by what she wrote to me yesterday.

"I am fortunate to live in a county where people are so unselfish," she writes. " The monetary gifts will assist with the trip and the hundreds of donations of needed items are just overwhelming. I know everything will be appreciated. Thank you again. Elaine"

For now, if folks wish to donate, they can drop items or money off at the Bonner County Sheriff's Office at 4001 North Boyer in Sandpoint. Checks should be made out to "Fraternal Order of Police---Panhandle Lodge No. 15."

It seems to me to be a great idea, especially after viewing the TV segments about the emotional toll this horrific event has taken on New Orleans finest. Stay tuned, and pass the word about this opportunity to friends. I'll happily provide updates about our Bonner County Sheriff's ambassadors here at Slightdetour.