The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on Aug. 7, 2025 held a public hearing and ordered the condemnation and removal of several dilapidated structures, setting deadlines that in some cases were extended at owners' requests.

At the podium, owner Elzie Harris said squatters had damaged his property at 7556 Ling Road and asked for more time to remove the structure. "I just need a little time to get it tore down to get it out of there," Harris said. Parish staff initially recommended condemnation and removal in 30 days, but jurors moved to allow 60 days. The motion to condemn and remove in 60 days was made by Police Juror Hayes, seconded by Police Juror Landry, and carried without recorded objection.

At 1755 Claude Hebert Road in Lebleau, resident Edwin Shotwell and Christopher Shotwell told jurors the house had been repeatedly vandalized and that they planned to dismantle it themselves. Christopher Shotwell said, "I've been, taking things down, busting walls out, keeping the yard cut, taking some ceiling out, things like that. I need 90 days." The jury voted to condemn and ordered removal within 90 days on a motion by Police Juror Stelley, seconded by Police Juror Landry.

Other condemnation actions and case handling included a 30-day removal order for a property referenced as 1C 3058 (motion by Police Juror Markantel, seconded by Police Juror Andrew Ponte) and a 30-day deferral for 2913 Crockett Street in Westlake (motion by Police Juror Landry, seconded by Police Juror Abshire) to allow owners additional time to comply or prepare for removal.

Parish staff noted the condemnation ordinance includes a built-in extension if owners begin demolition work, and staff instructed owners to notify the office if they could not meet the deadlines. Jurors repeatedly emphasized that if owners did not proceed or contact staff, the parish could proceed with removal and place the costs on the tax roll.

All motions carried as announced from the dais; individual roll-call tallies were not read into the record during the hearing.

No new ordinance language or funding appropriations were adopted at the hearing; jurors acted under existing condemnation procedures to set removal timelines and to direct staff to monitor compliance.