The Alliance for Good Government's Jefferson Parish chapter will host candidates for judge of Louisiana's 5th Circuit Court of Appeal and the 5th District seat on the Parish Council.

It begins at 7 p.m. at Andrea's restaurant, 3100 19th St. in Metairie.

On the same day at 6:30 p.m., the Metairie Road Neighborhood Associations Consortium and the Old Metairie Road Business Association are jointly hosting a forum for the Parish Council race on at the Metairie Park Country Day School auditorium.

• Jefferson Parish - Proposed changes to East Bank Fire Department rules (Word doc.)
• Jefferson Fire Department - Visit web site for information.

Crime Notices and Arrests

February 19th one of our members on the 1200 block of Hesper Ave. was robbed. They took her TV set and all of her Jewelry. Please be on the lookout for strange cars or trucks traveling around your neighborhood. We need to be careful and look out for our follow neighbors when we can. I am going to contact the JPSO and see if there have been any other crimes committed in our area. If you have had any crime problems please contact me at this email address or call 833-4511 and leave a message.

Sheriff Newell Normand reports, on February 10, 2009, shortly after 3:30 AM, our officers responded to a call of a subject being shot at 924 Calhoun St apt #1 in Metairie. Responding officers located the body of a B/M subject lying on the floor of the residence suffering from an apparent gun shot wound. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene. His identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification. A witness observed an unidentified B/M subject running from the residence after the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact Homicide Detective Kevin Decker at 364-5300 or Crimestoppers. 

Sheriff Newell Normand announces the arrest of Deshaun Griffin, B/M, 23, of 1250 South Johnson Street Apartment C in New Orleans, in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at the Hooters restaurant located at 4748 Veterans Blvd in Metairie on January 12, 2009 at around 12:00 AM. Deshaun Griffin was arrested on January 15, 2009 for two counts of Armed Robbery. Also arrested that day in connection with this investigation was Deshaun's sister, Tara Griffin, B/F, 35, from the same S. Johnson St. address. Tara was arrested for two counts of accessory after the fact for Armed Robbery.

January 15, 2009 around 6:00 PM our 911 Center received a call reporting two subjects shot in the 1500 block of Kings Road in Harvey. First responders located both victims lying in the parking lot of 1513 Kings Road in Harvey suffering from gunshot wounds. Victim # 2, identified as a 23 year old H/M, of 1513 Kings Rd. sustained a single gunshot wound to back. Victim # 3, identified as a H/M, approximate 28 years of age of 1513 Kings Rd. sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest. Both victims were transported to University Hospital and treated for their injuries. Robbery Detectives learned from a 35 year old Hispanic male victim that he and two of his friends were standing in the parking lot of their apartment at 1513 Kings Road in Harvey when they were approached by two unidentified B/M suspects both armed with handguns. Upon complying with the suspect's demands, Victim #1 stated he and his two friends surrendered their property and for no apparent reason moments later shots were fired. Victim 1 was not injured. Homicide investigators learned this morning the 23 year old victim died as a result of his injury. The second victim remains in critical condition at University. The suspects in this matter are described as two B/M's in their 20's, 5'6-5'8 tall, 160-180 lbs. with dread locks. Both suspects were wearing dark colored jackets and blue jeans and were armed with handguns. The suspects fled in a light blue faded older model GMC Jimmy/Chevy Blazer with tinted windows. Anyone with information in this matter is asked to call 364-5300 or Crimestoppers.

Tuesday, January 13, 2008, around 11:30 PM, a male suspect entered the gas station at 800 Manhattan Blvd in Harvey, produced a handgun and demanded money from the clerk.. After receiving the money, he fled on foot.The suspect was described as a B/M, 30 to 35 years of age, approximately 5'6", slim to medium build, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with writing across the upper chest and blue jeans. The incident was captured on video. Members of our Robbery Section believe this suspect may be responsible for multiple business robberies on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. Anyone with information is asked to contact our Robbery Section at 504-364-5300 or Crimestoppers.


Friday, January 9th, 2009, around 3:30 PM, Second District officer Glenn Webber was patrolling the Woodmere area in Harvey when he noticed a child standing up inside of a 2008 Nissan Altima being driven by a B/M subject. As he attempted to stop the vehicle, Officer Webber observed the driver throw a handgun out of the window. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop as Officer Webber continued following him. He reported loosing sight of the vehicle shortly thereafter; however, upon reaching the 2500 block of Eastview Drive was flagged down and directed to an area between two homes where the suspect vehicle was located. It appeared the vehicle crashed through both sides of the garage at 2569 Eastview and continued into the side of a second home at 2565 Eastview. According to a witness, the suspect driver jumped from the vehicle carrying a small child and fled on foot. Moment later both homes and the vehicle burst into flames. It was unknown if the driver or the child sustained any injuries. Area hospitals were alerted and a search for the suspect and child continued. In a follow-up investigation, Investigators learned the identity of the suspect and child. He is Jonathan Manuel, B/M, of 19, of 3869 Birchfield Drive in Harvey and the child was Manuel's 4 year old niece, Ni'Jay Hamburg. Warrants were being prepared for Jonathan Manuel arrest as the evening progressed. Around 10:00 PM last night our officers were notified that the child we were searching arrived with family members at West Jefferson Hospital for examination. The child did not appear to have any major injuries. Jonathan Manuel remains at large and anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Gary Barteet 364-5300.

Friday, January 9, 2009, Sheriff Newell Normand reports, earlier this morning our officers arrested Matthew Scharwath, W/M, 5/17/1988 of 2008 Iowa St. Kenner La. Scharwath fled from our officers in what was initially reported as driving a stolen vehicle. One of our LPR cameras picked up his vehicle in Metairie and in turn that information was broadcast over our radio system. The vehicle was spotted by Officer Paul Dupuis in the Clearview area and after a brief pursuit Scharwath drove his 2004 Chevy 1500 pick-up into Lake Pontchartrain at the Williams Blvd boat launch. With the assistance of other agencies, Scharwath was removed from the water and transported to University Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia. Matthew Scharwath was booked with resisting arrest by flight and a number of traffic related charges. Investigators learned the vehicle Scharwath was driving was reported stolen by Scharwath's father yesterday morning. He claimed he didn't realize his son had the vehicle. Since Matthew Scharwath was co-owner of the vehicle, he was not booked with possession of the stolen vehicle.

Thursday, January, 8, 2009, around 12:30 AM, our Fourth District Patrol Officers responded to reports of gunshots in the 500 block of Trudeau Ave in Metairie. A witness advised two male subjects were shooting in the area and had fled in a Ford Ranger Pick-up Truck. Deputy Westley West spotted a vehicle matching that description, a 1991 green Ford Ranger, at the intersection of Airline Drive and Trudeau Ave. The vehicle was stopped and it was learned to be occupied by two male subjects identified as Alvaro Zarco, H/M, 27, of 2412 Athania Pkwy in Metairie and Carlos Zarco, H/M, 30, of 2412 Athania Pkwy in Metairie. A 9mm semi-auto handgun was found inside the vehicle. Crime scene technicians recovered a number of spent shell casings from the initial scene that matched the bullets found in the weapon. Both subjects were arrested for Illegal Discharge of a Firearm.