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Residents and council press for action on electric bikes, scooters and blighted properties
Summary
Residents warned of fast-moving electric bikes and scooters near playgrounds and the senior center and urged code enforcement; council discussed stop-work orders, a $300 ordinance fine, and pursuing stronger remedies with parish and the courts for chronic blight.
Harahan — During public comment, residents and council members expressed concern about public-safety risks from electric bikes and scooters ridden at high speeds by minors on streets, walking tracks and near playgrounds, and pressed the city to pursue enforcement and education.
Resident William Morgan said the situation is dangerous for children and pedestrians and asked the council to act. "We're going to end up with a child dead," Morgan said, describing high-speed electric bikes on Jefferson Highway and near playgrounds.
Council and staff acknowledged the problem and discussed enforcement limits. Code enforcement indicated that some legal tools are narrow but that the city is pursuing correct citation procedures and court follow-up. On the issue of fines, an enforcement official said, "per the ordinance a stop work order is a $300 fine just for having one placed." Councilmembers said they will meet with legal counsel, the judge and parish staff to explore additional remedies, cooperative agreements and more effective enforcement mechanisms.
Separately, the council discussed repeated complaints about long-running property-maintenance problems at specific addresses, including a house on Stone Lane that was the subject of a stop-work order and a $300 fine; staff reported some cases require corrected citation procedures and judicial follow-up to secure remediation.
What happens next: Staff and council members agreed to coordinate with the police chief, legal counsel and Jefferson Parish to explore legislative changes or intergovernmental agreements that would give more tools to address hazardous conditions and chronic blight. Council asked staff to follow up with inspections and court scheduling information for affected properties.
