Residents urged Crowley officials on Tuesday to step up enforcement of existing code and to adopt measures such as rental registration to hold property owners accountable.

The comments came during the Public Safety Committee meeting and public comment period, where Theresa Richard, a resident, told the council that the city spends "over $600,000 a year on code enforcement, and we don't have anyone enforce the codes." She said that weak enforcement has left neighborhoods with hazards that disproportionately affect low‑income and disabled residents.

Mayor Byron and Alderman Kaur said the city is pursuing several steps in response. Kaur cited the City of Crowley Code of Ordinances — Section 5‑63 (maintenance of property, buildings and structures) and Section 5‑64 (unsafe and dilapidated buildings) — and said the ordinances already give the city authority to act. The mayor said staff are working with the city attorney to update Chapter 5, Article 3 (Uninhabitable Structures, Maintenance and Condemnation) and hoped to present draft amendments to the committee in August.

City staff also described hiring activity. City Inspector Tony Duhan reported that the city has advertised for a code enforcement manager / inspector to replace the prior inspector and to reduce reliance on third‑party inspection contractors. The mayor said the job posting will go to the local paper and online job sites and that hiring a credentialed inspector is a priority.

Committee members noted recent court enforcement. Alderman Willridge reported that municipal court ruled in favor of the city in a case involving an unlicensed auto repair business. The court ordered removal of junk and debris within 10 days and issued fines; according to the record read to the committee, the court imposed a $200 fine for operating without a license and additional fines and possible jail terms if the property was not cleared within the ordered period. The committee said the city will bill the property owner if the city must perform the removal.

Council members and landlords discussed next steps for a rental‑registration proposal originally proposed last month. Several landlords said they want a chance to provide input, and Alderman Martin and others suggested a public forum or limited committee to gather landlord perspectives. The mayor and Kaur said the city will focus on revising the broader Chapter 5 ordinance to cover vacant, commercial and residential properties rather than adopting a rental registration limited to residential landlords.

The meeting record shows discussion only; no new ordinance was adopted at the session. Staff were directed to continue drafting ordinance language, coordinate with the city attorney, and continue advertising for a code‑enforcement hire.