Hundreds gathered at the Natchitoches Events Center Wednesday night Oct. 23, for the Region 4 annual Police Jury Association of Louisiana (PJAL) meeting hosted by the Parish of Natchitoches. Region 4 encompasses Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Desoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes. There are eight regions. Membership is open to each of the 64 parishes in the state whether organized as a Police Jury, Parish Council or Parish Commission.
The current slate of Region 4 officers are President John Salter from Natchitoches Parish, Vice President Glen Benton from Bossier Parish, Treasurer Julie Lockhart from Natchitoches Parish, and Parish Clerk Sheryl Frederick from Natchitoches Parish. Regional meetings allow members to network with those in their surrounding parishes to make new connections and discuss common issues.
In addition to the regional meetings, PJAL gathers yearly for a convention to allow all elected officials to sit at one table to discuss parish government with other parish elected officials and vendors. Educational seminars are held, too.