At yesterday's Public Safety Committee meeting, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith identified a new challenge for law enforcement.
A recent sweep in the Highland in Operation Blue seeking homeless occupying vacant property revealed an abandoned RV in an alley. Neighbors reported that there were many illegal activities in and around the RV.
The RV is located in an alley between Rutherford and College in the 400 block. Pictures are below.
The RV has been cited by Shreveport Property Standards. If not removed timely the RV owner will be cited for Shreveport Environmental Court. Reportedly the owner is out of state and not likely to be responsive to any requests to remove the RV.
One question to be answered is the ownership of the alley.
It could be owned by the owners of the properties on Rutherford and Columbia. Often deeds in this area include half of the alley behind each lot. If that is the case, the RV is on private property.
In the alternative, the alley could be owned by the City of Shreveport. In that case, the RV is a public property.
Citation of the owner under the Louisiana criminal code will not get the RV removed. A judgement of the Environmental Court could order removal of the RV. In that instance, the RV would be removed at city expense and be store at city expense.
The RV challenge is another example of the challenges of dealing with abandoned houses and property in many areas of the city. These properties contribute to blight and illegal activity.
