Jeff Bergeron wins race for West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff

WEST BATON ROUGE PARISH, La. (WAFB) - Residents in West Baton Rouge Parish voted to elect a new sheriff for the first time in over 20 years.

Jeff Bergeron (no party) faced democrat Leo Fontenot in the runoff election on November 18.

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Longtime Sheriff Mike Cazes decided to retire earlier this year.

Each candidate shared their vision about protecting the community, with juvenile crime is also at the forefront.

After this month’s deadly shooting involving multiple teenagers at the Port Allen and Brusly High School football game, each candidate shared how they would like to help young people in the parish.

“We have to add more juvenile detectives. I think we have to get in the schools. I think we have to educate our juveniles,” said Bergeron.

Bergeron, a longtime employee at the Attorney General’s office, said we have to target our kids early and often if we want to curb crime.

“Get to them at an early age, teach them about conflict resolution, teach them about gang violence, teach about violence in general,” said Bergeron.

Fontenot, a decades long veteran with WBRSO, has a similar goal in mind.

“We need to beef up the patrols, we need to aggressively patrol here in the parish, and be more visible in the community,” said Fontenot.

If elected, Fontenot would become the parish’s first Black sheriff.

He believes real change starts with community policing, and re-establishing trust with the people.

“You do onto others as you want them to do onto you. You have to be open, honest, and fair, and you have to bring respect to the table to receive it,” said Fontenot.

A forum featuring each sheriff’s candidate will take place Thursday, Sep. 20. It will take place at the Port Allen Community Center at 6 p.m.

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