When the New Orleans Police Department developed the innovative Homeless Assistance Collaborative to improve the way it deals with homeless people, it wisely chose B.B. St. Roman to direct the effort. She has proven to be a wonderful choice.

In the past, police contact with homeless people often resulted in jail stays, even when the offense was minor. Average stays of 42 days generally left the individuals in worse shape and did nothing to improve their chances of gaining shelter. In addition, law enforcement time and public resources were not being used efficiently.

Former Police Captain Louis Dabdoub III designed a new approach that puts the police in the role of a facilitator, linking homeless individuals with service providers. B.B. St. Roman is the one who leads this innovative operation and makes it work. She has earned the trust of homeless people and the respect of both the police and the service providers.

Ms. St. Roman brings unique qualifications to her job. She served as a former coordinator of the Upper Quarter Neighborhood Watch and a volunteer platoon leader of the Citizen Reserve in the 8th Police District. She is a member of the board of French Quarter Citizens for Preservation of Residential Quality. Her colorful biography includes career stints as a documentary film maker, seller of spiritual candles, and Dr. John’s road manager. Mother Theresa once tried to recruit her to be a nun.

Ms. St. Roman’s wide-ranging professional experience, her community activism, and her genuine compassion for homeless people have enabled her to provide a vital public service that is a credit to the New Orleans Police Department and the citizens it serves.