Homeless problem growing

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Dangerous properties marked for demolition; Police chief says drug-addicted homeless use vacant structures
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Vacant structures in Eunice were linked to drug addiction at the Eunice Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday.
Ten properties were listed on the meeting’s agenda by Bill Thompson, code enforcement officer.
Police Chief Randy Fontenot said dangerous and abandoned buildings are related to a growing homeless problem fueled by drug addiction.
“We have a problem with people breaking into a lot of these vacant buildings not just houses, but sheds, vacant commercial properties and they are living in there at night or during the day,” Fontenot said.
“What we are seeing is a problem with drug addicts actually not having a place to go because their family and friends have had enough and kicked them out,” Fontenot said.
“They have no place to go now, so they are looking for these vacant houses and places to stay,” he said.
Fontenot blames crystal methamphetamine for the growing number of drug addicted people.
Code enforcement officer Thompson also noted open access to vacant properties as a reason to demolish structures.
Three houses, all adjudicated to St. Landry Parish Government, were approved for demolition. They are 230 S. Mallet St., 460 N. Mallet St. and 230 Olivia St.
No one from parish government was present at the meeting.
Vernon McManus, city attorney, said the city does not seek to demolish structures for cosmetic reasons.
“...the property has to pose a danger to the public by being in a dilapidated and dangerous condition and being in a condition in which the public can enter without restriction,” he said.
Other properties on the agenda were:
— 401 College Road. Thompson said it is not completely boarded up and “neighbors complain about people going to the house all hours of the night. The house is listed as owned by Kirt Miller, but adjudicated to the city.
Adjudicated means taxes are owed to the city or parish.
A show cause hearing is to be held for the property at the Nov. 13 city meeting.
— 741 Lewis St., which Thompson said “is just a shambles” also is up for a show cause hearing. The property is owned by Curley J. and Elizabeth Pitre.
— 251 Boudreaux. Thompson’s recommendation to give owner Daniel P. Baham another 30 days to make repairs was rejected. The property is to be subject to a hearing at the Nov. 13 meeting.
did not comment on the property.
— 331 Perrotti St., owned by Charles and Kenneth Athchison, may be donated to the city before its show causing hearing next month. The donation would allow the city to expedite action on the property.
Updates were given on three properties.
— 560 Lewis St. Improvements are being made, but slowly, he said. The owner, Johnny Anderson, is to be given 30 more days, but also to be advised that extensions are going to end.
— 350 E. Peach Ave. A trailer on the property has not been hauled off and Thompson said he would proceed with the necessary action.
— 140 S. St. George St. has been secured and does not need city action now, Thompson said.
Jack Burson, alderman at-large said if dilapidated properties are allowed to exist they discourage people from moving to Eunice.
Alderwoman Germaine Simpson said the abandoned houses “... become a blight to the community. These homes look horrible. Horrible.”
There are also “slumlords” with properties not fit for habitation, she said. “
Burson gave East Magnolia as an example of a neighborhood that declined.
“When I first got on the council that was a solid working class neighborhood of houses...” he said.
Burson also said the city may have to force the parish to take action on the houses it owns in Eunice.
“They can’t seize these things and leave them to fall apart in our town,” he said.
The police chief said there is another side the issue and that’s bicycle traffic on the city’s streets at night.
Some bicycle riders wear backpacks in which they keep drugs and stolen property, he said.
Fontenot said officers are using traffic laws as a reason to stop the bicyclists.
On the use of vacant houses, Fontenot said property owners can give police the authority to search their structures.
“We are asking the public if you have any property in Eunice, keep an eye on it and check it regularly,” he said.
Fontenot also asks the public to call police if they see people in what should be a vacant structure.