Up again: The proposed residency requirement for Baton Rouge police officers is on the agenda for today’s Metro Council’s meeting. The controversial proposal was deferred after being debated for several hours during the council’s meeting earlier this month. The requirement would mandate that new hires of the Baton Rouge Police Department live in East Baton Rouge Parish, effective Jan. 1. Councilwoman Chauna Banks-Daniel originally placed the proposed requirement on the council’s agenda in response to the killing of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, by Baton Rouge police officers. Banks-Daniel has argued that a residency requirement is the foundation of community policing. See the full agenda. The council meets at 4 p.m. today on the ninth floor of City Hall, 222 St. Louis St.
Ride together: The Capital Region Planning Commission has unveiled Geauxride.com, a free carpooling match service to help flood victims and reduce traffic congestion. The site helps match riders and facilitate carpooling. The CRPC, a council of governments for 11 area parishes, is urging the public to sign up to help those who lost their vehicles during the recent flooding. “Initially we viewed Geaux Ride as a tool to help reduce the amount of vehicle traffic on our roadways. After the events of the last week and a half we view Geaux Ride as a mechanism that will allow people to return to their daily lives,” says Jamie Setze, CRPC Executive Director. Riders can go online and enter their email address, their work address and create a commuter profile.
On tour: Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson will lead a two-day tour through the flood-impacted areas of the Capital Region and Acadiana to support the business community and spread information about business recovery resources. Elected leaders and economic officials will join Pierson today in Lafayette, Crowley, Abbeville, New Iberia and Youngsville. The tour will continue on Thursday through Baton Rouge, Walker and Prairieville. The tour will start at 9 a.m. on both days. It will include a 12:30 p.m. news conference on Thursday at the Baton Rouge Business Recovery Center and a meeting with stakeholders at the business recovery center stationed at the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane. Get more information.
