Glen Oaks Community to Gain New Sheriff’s Substation in Response to Crime Surge
BATON ROUGE – As gun violence continues to plague Glen Oaks, city officials are turning to a new strategy—bringing law enforcement closer to the community. On Monday, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of construction for a new East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s office substation on Greenwell Street, aimed at enhancing security and rebuilding trust between residents and authorities.
Councilman Darryl Hurst, who represents the area, has been a driving force behind the project. Reflecting on the recent uptick in violent crime, Hurst pointed out the urgent need for a stronger law enforcement presence.
"When the shovel hit the dirt, I thought, 'Thank you, Jesus,' finally," Hurst said during the ceremony. "We know this substation won't end all violence, but having a visible law enforcement presence can help deter some of the senseless acts we've witnessed."
Within just two weeks, five murders were reported near the substation site, including the shooting of Teressa Calligan and a brutal triple homicide. The new facility is intended to provide quicker response times and a more permanent sheriff's presence in an area that has been on edge.
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux shared Hurst’s commitment to community safety, stating that the substation is one of seven throughout the parish, with this being the third developed under his leadership. Gautreaux emphasized that a project of this magnitude signals to the community that authorities are serious about change.
"This substation represents more than just a building," Gautreaux said. "It’s about showing Glen Oaks that we are here to help and to protect them."
The $1 million substation project, which will be supported by $400,000 in city-parish American Rescue Plan Act funds, is also a testament to collaboration, according to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. She highlighted that the solution to crime lies not only in stronger policing but also in uniting community leaders, law enforcement, and residents.
"We get more done when we collaborate and communicate," Broome said. "This substation is proof that we can work together for a safer future."
For Glen Oaks, the new substation is more than just another law enforcement office—it’s a symbol of hope. Deputy Capt. Troy Banks, a Glen Oaks native and graduate of Glen Oaks High School, will help lead the substation, bringing a personal connection to his new role. Seventeen deputies will initially staff the facility, with plans to expand.
"A phone call distance away? Now we’re just walking distance away," Banks remarked, emphasizing how much closer law enforcement will be to those in need.
Eric Lewis, a member of a local church being built across from the substation, believes the project is a positive step for the neighborhood.
"I truly believe that having this substation will create a stronger sense of pride in Glen Oaks," said Lewis. "It sends a message that this community matters."
For a neighborhood that has long struggled with crime and a lack of resources, the new substation is seen as a necessary move toward creating a safer, more unified Glen Oaks.
