While it's undeniable that there is immense value in having a firm enforcement arm to deter criminal activity and ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens, it's equally clear that there is a long-term benefit to serving the population through community education and public service programs.

In this episode of Find the Good News, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Gary "Stitch" Guillory took the time to visit with me and share his insights on what makes Calcasieu Parish a unique thread in the fabric of Louisiana communities, and how it continues to progress and thrive within the larger quilt of the United States as a whole.

With over four decades of public service and law enforcement experience, Sheriff Guillory has stepped into his elected role with the kind of respect and integrity that are critical for a leader bound to face challenges, ranging from daily criminal activity to white-collar crime, online financial scams, predators, abuse, and natural disasters. From drug trafficking and violence to petty crime, Sheriff Guillory is transparent—the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office faces the same hurdles as law enforcement agencies across our nation. Yet, he sees something uniquely hopeful in Calcasieu: a trend toward betterment, togetherness, resilience, empathy, and community, even as these bonds seem to erode in other parts of our nation.

Sheriff Guillory and his team at CPSO are clearly motivated to be a positive and highly visible presence throughout Calcasieu Parish, not only through law enforcement, but by serving the people—from the elderly to the young—through volunteer work and education programs.

So, I invite you to consider your role as a citizen in your community, how you can be a helper and be of service. And when you see the new green and gold cruisers and uniforms of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, know that the individual inside is there to serve as well.

Maybe you heard something on this show that helped you on your path to a happier life, but I need your finding the good. Get in touch and let me know what you think I should ask my upcoming guests and I'll see about getting your questions into the fishbowl in our Fishing For Goodies segment of the show! If you'd like to have your name and city/state/country read on the show just include it in your email when you submit your question. Your question will stay in the fishbowl for other guests to answer. Each guest will be fishing out 3 goodies each episode, so make sure your questions are creative, thought provoking, and designed to find the good! Don't be shy. I want to hear from you so we can find the good together.

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