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RIVERBEND CRIME PREVENTION & IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

What is the Crime Prevention & Improvement District?

The Riverbend Crime Prevention & Improvement District (the "District") was created in 2015 through Legislative Act No. 127 and is a public body which was approved by the voters of the District. The District is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana and it must abide by all the laws that govern a political subdivision. All voters who own or reside in the District were eligible to vote on November 11, 2015 to create this District. The District Bill passed by a margin of 64.43% FOR 35.57% AGAINST.

History

For over a decade, we have been struggling to meet security and beautification needs, but have not been completely successful due to the lack of funding. Many of you have supported us throughout the years, and we graciously thank you. But for every one of you who have contributed, two or three of your neighbors do not pay. And yet they enjoy the same police protection and the same benefits you receive from your dues.

This new district will address the aforementioned concerns. Every homeowner will pay an equal amount. The money will be used to help support neighborhood watch, bolster beautification, and most importantly, potentially increase funding for police patrols.

Concerning police patrols, in 2014 we could afford a little over nine hours per month for these patrols. With the district, we could potentially have patrols in our neighborhood every day.

This district will also have a review or audit of its financial statements every year by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

The cost for the district will be shouldered equally by all single family dwelling property owners for an annual parcel fee of $150. Budgets are being reviewed now, and we should be able to fund everything that concerns the Riverbend Subdivision community with this revenue. That would cost less than 41 cents per day per homeowner in Riverbend.

Benefits/Facts

  • The District is a political subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.
  • The purpose of the district shall be to aid in crime prevention and security of the residents by increasing the presence of law enforcement personnel AND for the funding of beautification and improvements in the District.
  • This is a tax/free and therefore claimable on tax forms
  • When was this voted on by residents? November 21, 2015
  • How much is the parcel fee? $150 per lot (improved or unimproved)
  • If enacted, when will the $150 fee be collected? The tax will be a part of your regular property tax bill at year-end 2016 and future years.
  • Who will serve? The commission will be comprised of seven “members”.
    • President of the Riverbend HOA
    • 3 members appointment by the Riverbend HOA
    • A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for the District shall appoint one member.
    • A member of the Louisiana Senate for the District shall appoint one member.
    • The Assessor for the parish of East Baton Rouge shall appoint one member.
  • All of the above will serve without compensation and shall not receive reimbursement for expenses.
  • The District will ‘sunset’ or expire after the initial 15 year term.
  • How much money will be raised each year? Based on our rough projections, the District should be able to collect approximately $70,000 annually.
  • Who decides how the money will be spent? The Board of Commissioners will adopt a yearly budget and it will be presented to the Homeowners.
  • Will an annual audit be performed? Yes, the District shall be subject to an audit by the Legislative Auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.
  • Are we replacing the Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department? No. The Riverbend HOA currently pays an off-duty East Baton Rouge Sherriff officer to patrol the Riverbend Subdivision. The money from the Taxing District would be utilized to enhance the private police patrols of the existing service.
  • Are we replacing the maintenance/social dues of the neighborhood?  The maintenance portion of the dues collected will be greatly reduced and will go toward the printed directory etc.  The social part will be still in place as is.
  • Will residents be able to attend the quarterly meetings?  Yes, Residents will be notified of the quarterly meeting.  The Board has to follow the open meeting law as set by the state.
  • Reasons why this District is important to the future of Riverbend Subdivision:
    • Increased Security Patrols
    • Possibilities of monitored Security cameras at entrances/exits
    • Professional landscaping and beautification projects
    • Reduces existing voluntary dues

Boundaries

The boundaries of our District are the boundaries of Riverbend Subdivision which is shown on the plat plan listed with the City/Parish. This does not include any other subdivisions that surround Riverbend Subdivision. It includes all of the homes in Riverbend Subdivision not the surrounding neighborhoods that branch off Riverbend (ie. Riverbend Lakes, Laurel Lakes and Laurel Estates).

Governance

The District is supported by all property (parcel) owners in Riverbend Subdivision. A parcel fee in the amount of $150 per year is placed on each parcel of property. The parcel fee will expire fifteen years from its initial levy as provided for on the ballot of November 11, 2015. It will be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem taxes are collected in the Parish. The parcel fee is allowed to increase one time not to exceed $250 in the course of the fifteen-year period.

Riverbend Crime Prevention and Improvement Board of Directors

  • Robert (Bob) Harper, President
  • Andre Rodrigue, Vice President
  • Adrienne Boutte Bowser, President HOA, Secretary
  • Barbara Goodson, Treasurer HOA and RBCPID
  • Andre Rodrigue
  • David Trusty
  • Ed Lundin
  • Johnny Narcisse

Responsibility of the Commission Board

The board will meet quarterly and is governed by Open Meeting Laws, Public Records Law, and the Code of Governmental Ethics. The board will adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act and shall be subject to audit by the Legislative Auditor.

Purpose

The District was created specifically to provide an increase in the presence of law enforcement personnel in the District, to provide security measures deemed necessary for added protection to the District, as well as to provide opportunities for the upkeep of the District.

All business which the Commission Board conducts will be reported here on this Crime Prevention District Page. If you have any questions or concerns about the District, you may e-mail them to crimedistrict@riverbendsub.org

Camera Policy

 

Meeting Agenda and Minutes

All meetings are held at:
Carver Library
720 Terrace Avenue
6:00 p.m.

Meetings currently scheduled (tentative) are:

​The board may call for additional meetings if necessary and these to will be subject to the Open Meeting laws.

Archived Meeting Agendas

January 4, 2017
March 15, 2017
April 5, 2017
September 6, 2017
November 1, 2017
January ​24​, 2018
March 7, 2018
May 2, 2018
September 5, 2018
November 14, 2018
January 15, 2019
March 14, 2019
May 7, 2019
September 3, 2019
November 5, 2019
January 14, 2020
March 10, 2020
May 5, 2020 (Canceled)  
September 1, 2020 (Canceled)
November 10, 2020

 

Archived Meeting Minutes

January 4, 2017
March 15, 2017
April 5, 2017
  • Minutes
September 6, 2017
  • Minutes
November 1, 2017
January ​24​, 2018
March 7, 2018
May 2, 2018
September 5, 2018
November 14, 2018
January 15, 2019
March 14, 2019
May 7, 2019
September 3, 2019
November 5, 2019
January 14, 2020
March 10, 2020
May 5, 2020 (Canceled)  
September 1, 2020 (Canceled)
  • Minutes
November 10, 2020