Litter and illegal dumping took center stage at the St. Landry Parish Council meeting on November 6, 2024, as Major Mark LeBlanc of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office presented a compelling proposal aimed at tackling this growing issue.

LeBlanc, who recently returned to law enforcement and now serves as the public information officer and Crime Stoppers coordinator, emphasized the urgent need for community involvement in combating littering. "We only need to drive around our rural areas to see the extent of this travesty," he stated, highlighting the visible impact of litter on the parish's beauty.

During his address, LeBlanc acknowledged the efforts of the parish government but pointed out the limitations of current resources in addressing the problem effectively. He proposed leveraging citizen engagement as a vital resource in the fight against litter and illegal dumping. "The problem is locating the litter, and then allocating the resources to clean it up," he explained, suggesting that community participation could enhance the effectiveness of existing efforts.

LeBlanc's proposal received an enthusiastic response from the Crime Stoppers board, indicating strong community support for the initiative. He sought guidance from the council on how to proceed, inviting suggestions and feedback on his approach.

The discussion around litter and dumping reflects a broader concern for environmental stewardship in St. Landry Parish, with LeBlanc's initiative poised to mobilize residents in a collective effort to restore the area's natural beauty. As the council considers his proposal, the potential for increased community involvement could lead to significant improvements in the parish's cleanliness and overall quality of life.