In the ripples of the river life and the small gestures that weave the fabric of communal living, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office recently had an interaction that, while routine, floated above mere enforcement. A local boater, Kody Lacour, highlighted the amiable approach taken by two deputies from the Marine Division during a stop on the river for a Sunday outing. Lacour's boating registration on his hull had expired, and yet he chose to sail forth, an act of defiance that would usually garner stringent repercussions.
However, on this sun-dappled day, the encounter was anything but ordinary. A post on the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office's Facebook page, documented Lacour's narrative. “They were nothing but respectful, explained everything, didn’t go overkill, weren’t %#$holes, weren’t trying to ruin a day of fun...simply doing their job," Lacour stated, reflecting a tone of mutual respect. The deputies, named as Deputy Clint Kiley, referred to warmly as "OG", and the new addition to the team, Deputy Kevin Palazzo, displayed restraint, issuing a single citation for a life jacket violation rather than piling on multiple fines.
Furthermore, this scenario, often poised to escalate, defused pleasantly. "Even though I was wrong, he could spare me. By giving them the respect I got one ticket instead of 3 and I got to continue on with my day," Lacour expressed as per the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Facebook post, acknowledging the potential gravity of the confrontation. The deputies, on the other hand, maintained a balance of duty and humanity, not seeking to harangue but to enhance safety with a dash of camaraderie.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office's social media post concluded with a recognition of Lacour's gratitude and a lighthearted promise to keep the humor afloat. "We appreciate the public nod, Kody...and we’ll let Deputy Kiley know to keep the laughs coming… right up until the next ticket is on you," echoed the sentiment from the department.
