The Kiwanis Club of Winnfield welcomed Winn Parish Sheriff Josh McAllister as its guest speaker during a recent weekly luncheon meeting. Sheriff McAllister was introduced by Dr. Gaddis and provided members and guests with an in-depth update on the parish’s current law enforcement initiatives, technological upgrades, and community-focused programs.
The presentation kicked off with some good-natured banter when Sheriff McAllister joked that Dr. Gaddis was actually disappointed in him—explaining that the club had really wanted to invite Ruby Jean, the Sheriff’s Office’s newest single-purpose narcotics K-9 officer. Ruby Jean was unable to attend due to a vet checkup for minor heat dehydration after extensive training, but the Sheriff assured everyone she was recovering well and eager to get back on duty.
Joined by special guest Rev. Brian McAllister, newly called pastor at First Baptist Church, Sheriff McAllister addressed the club regarding the ongoing progress of the Sheriff’s Office heading into his third year in office.
During his presentation, Sheriff McAllister highlighted several key areas of progress for the parish:
Lower Crime Rates & Faster Response:
Recent statistical evaluations show violent crime in Winn Parish sits at 56% below the national average, with property crime 85% below the national average. By restructuring patrol zones, response times across rural parts of the parish have been reduced to 6–10 minutes.
Narcotics Task Force Success:
Targeted investigations have led to major narcotics seizures, keeping hundreds of thousands of dangerous fentanyl doses off parish streets.
Jail Workforce & Rehabilitation:
Rather than costly work-release facilities, the Sheriff’s Office utilizes a local workforce program. Inmates convicted of non-violent offenses work with the parish police jury, litter control crews, and the local animal shelter to foster skills and community integration prior to release.
Community & School Safety:
School Resource Officers (SROs) remain active across every public school in Winn Parish at no expense to the local school board. Local pastors and registered nurses check in on elderly residents, while the Sheriff’s Office maintains its official mobile app for real-time public emergency alerts and community updates.
Animal Control:
The department’s newly constructed shelter facility is located at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Detention Center, where staff and workforce inmates actively manage stray and nuisance animals in partnership with the local humane society.
Following his operational overview, Sheriff McAllister answered questions from club members regarding the use of License Plate Readers (LPRs) for tracking stolen vehicles. He also discussed ongoing operations at the Winn Correctional Center, which is operated by LaSalle Corrections and primarily houses ICE detainees and undocumented immigrants.
The Kiwanis Club expressed its appreciation to Sheriff McAllister for his detailed report and continued service to the citizens of Winn Parish.