New Glen Oaks Sheriff's Office Substation Takes Shape Amid Crime Spike

In response to a recent increase in violent crime, local officials in Baton Rouge have begun construction on a new sheriff's office substation in the Glen Oaks neighborhood. Councilman Darryl Hurst, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office led the groundbreaking ceremony. They hope this new substation will help curb the violence that has plagued the area. Hurst aims to see significant changes in the next ten years, unlike the past forty. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux noted that this is the seventh substation for the department, with three opened during his tenure. The new substation is strategically located on Greenwell Street to address specific incidents, including murders, a triple homicide, and a domestic violence case. The substation is expected to enhance the sheriff's office's presence and response times in the community. Although it won't eliminate all violence, officials believe it will help deter crime. They hope to save lives and move the community in a positive direction. The project is set to be completed in about a year and is funded in part by the city-parish's American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Deputy Capt. Troy Banks, a Glen Oaks High School alumnus, will help run the station. He plans to have 17 deputies operating in the heart of Glen Oaks, with hopes of expanding in the future. The closer proximity will allow deputies to respond faster than ever. Community members like Eric Lewis, part of a church being built across from the substation, see the groundbreaking as a sign of change. They hope this initiative will boost pride in the Glen Oaks community and the broader North Baton Rouge area.