ST. MARTINVILLE — An Acadiana sheriff is implementing new procedures to keep his staff safe amid the pandemic.
Among the new procedures for the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office is virtual meetings via Zoom.
"Because we closed the office, because of COVID, I notice there's a lot of people who are reluctant to come to the sheriff's office to talk to me," said Sheriff Becket Breaux. "I've used Zoom in the past, which is a video conference between two parties."
Using Zoom means you won't have to go to the sheriff's office to speak with Sheriff Breaux. You can talk to him from the comfort of your own home.
Carroll Angelle, who lives in Stephensville, is already utilizing it.
"This thing is awesome. [Breaux] said, 'I can have a meeting just like it's in my office, and it's going to be private,'" said Angelle.
Angelle says knowing the sheriff is available gives him a sense of security.
"I feel a lot safer with him being there because he's going to get the job done one way or another," said Angelle.
The sheriff says no topic is off limits during the virtual meetings.
"Look," the sheriff said. "I made a promise: I have an open-door policy. But now, I have an open-window policy, an open-video policy, that's going to work the same way. I like it. It's working out."
If you'd like to make a virtual appointment with the sheriff, you're asked to call his administrative assistant at 337-394-2503, or send an email to dcguidry@stmartinsheriff.org
