THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
911 director addresses concerns over emergency calls BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
A month after Zachary residents and elected officials complained about long response times, dropped calls and other problems when they contact 911, the director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Communications District spoke to the City Council Sept. 24 about how the emergency telephone system works and issues affecting it. The director, Jim Verlander, addressed concerns that were raised at a council meeting in late August, where residents and council members alike reported having to wait a long time for their 911 calls to be answered, often only to be connected with dispatchers they said were either rude or unfamiliar with Zachary’s streets. Verlander emphasized that some of these problems are out of the district’s hands. “We supply the 911 phone system that is used by the entire parish,” Verlander explained. “We’re not the ones actually behind the call — we’re the ones behind the call system and also the CAD system, the computer-aided dispatch.“ The district serves as the parish’s PSAP, or Public Safety Answering Point. According to the district’s website, it “has adopted the ‘transfer method’ of handling 911 calls: it receives telephone requests for emergency services and directly transfers such requests to an appropriate public safety agency or other providers of emergency services.” Verlander encouraged people to be patient when they call 911. Most calls are picked up within two and a half to four of five rings, he said — which is in line with a national standard of answering 95% of calls within 20 seconds and 90% within 10 seconds. Some people hang up after only a couple of rings, assuming no one is there to take their call. In reality, issues with cell phone carriers can cause a delay in connecting with 911 or even drop the call. Sometimes the call center is just busy, fielding reports of multiple emergencies going on at once. Often, Verlander said, people dealing with an urgent medical or safety situation panic or become impatient when they don’t reach a call taker right away. “Whenever you’re dialing 911, it’s generally the
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W e d n e s d ay, O c t O b e r 2, 2024
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FALL • MUSIC • LOVE
IN THE AIR PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Melvin and Rita Bates dance as Phat Hat sings ‘At Last.’
Phat Hat performs at Downtown Live at the Gazebo
ä See CALLS, page 3G
Zachary City Council thanks officers for large drug bust Wendell Woods, the lead singer of Phat Hat, performs his best vocals for the community of Zachary.
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
Zachary police officers recently made what they say is the biggest drug bust in the city’s history, arresting a man on several narcotics-related counts and seizing a large amount of contraband. The City Council recognized the accomplishment at its Sept. 24 meeting. According to a news release posted on the Police Department’s Facebook page, officers arrested Dylan Raborn, 31, on Sept. 6 “after a lengthy investigation” that culminated in a search of a home in the 5700 block of Fairway Drive. Raborn faces 10 counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, two counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs and one count each of operating a hallucinogenic mushroom lab, operating a clandestine lab, possession of drug paraphernalia and transactions involving drug proceeds.
ä See BUST, page 3G
AROUND ZACHARY
Phat Hat played at Friday’s Downtown Live at the Gazebo in Zachary. Concertgoers enjoyed the music food and vendors on site.
The Zachary Community gather Friday evening at the Downtown Live at the Gazebo listening to the sounds of Phat Hat. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
Rate adjustment for garbage, recycling Leila Pitchford
10TH YEAR, NO. 51
Due to rising costs from Waste Management, residents and small commercial units within the city of Zachary will see an increase of $1.95 on their monthly garbage and recycling collection bill, a notice said. For qualified senior citizens, the adjustment will be $0.88. Waste Management holds the contract for curbside garbage, solid waste and recycling services within the city limits of Zachary. The Zachary City Council approved this rate adjustment on Aug. 27, with the new rates taking effect on Sept. 18. The updated monthly rate for garbage and recycling services will be $27.96, while the Senior Garbage Rate will be $14.50 per month. Curbside pickup for garbage and recy-
cling will continue twice a week. Rates for garbage services outside the city limits remain unchanged, as they are set by East Baton Rouge Parish.
Free walk-in flu shots available Lane Rx, located in front of the hospital at 6400 Main St., Zachary, is offering free walk-in flu shots Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The vaccinations are free with most insurance plans. The standard Fluzone, for ages 6 months to 64 years, is $32 for cash pay, and the Fluzone High Dose for ages 65 and older is $92 for cash. For information, call (225) 6584022.
ä See AROUND, page 4G
Kristian Jackson is new member of Zachary High Hall of Fame In addition to competOn Sept. 23, the Zachary High’s Hall of Fame selecing with the power lifting team for coach Jason tion committee reviewed Davis, she was also a part nominations for the 2024 of coach Chris Carrier’s Hall of Fame Class. track and field program. The honor pays tribute to Where to start? The sucpast Zachary High School Warren and former Northwestern cesses were huge in both Brady High School (1955-70) athsports. ZACHARY As a powerlifter, she letic greats. Two former SPORTS was the 2015 and 2016 reathletes are selected annugional champion and was ally for induction. the 2016 outstanding lifter. At the The first new inductee to be state competition, she was the announced is dual sport athlete state runner-up in both 2015 and Kristian Jackson, who rewrote 2016. the record books and won multiFor the track and field program, ple titles for the Broncos. Jackson she ensured that the Broncos had graduated from ZHS in 2018 and first place points in two events what she accomplished during her four-year high school career ä See BRADY, page 4G was literally for the records book.