Caddo Parish, LA – Caddo Parish Commissioner John-Paul Young, who represents District 4, voiced strong concerns during the February 18, 2025 Caddo Parish Commission Work Session, claiming that his neighborhood is being burned down by meth heads.
Young stated that his district is losing approximately one house per week to fires and predicted that another home would be lost in the coming days.
During his remarks, Commissioner Young also criticized law enforcement’s approach to dealing with individuals occupying abandoned homes.
He alleged that the Shreveport Police Department does not remove squatters from properties without doors, windows, power, or water, citing uncertainty about the legal rights of the occupants due to absentee landlords. Young pointed out that some of these landlords may be LLCs or individuals residing outside the country, making enforcement complicated.
Additionally, Young called attention to the residency of Shreveport Police Chief, stating that he lives in Keithville rather than in Shreveport, and therefore does not experience the same neighborhood issues firsthand.
Following Young’s comments, Michael E. Carter, Ph.D., President of the Shreveport Police Officers Association, issued a statement on social media addressing the commissioner’s remarks. Carter criticized Young’s comments as “derogatory” and stated that the association is reviewing the matter.
“We have been made aware of the derogatory comments made on record at yesterday’s Caddo Parish Commission meeting towards the Shreveport Police by Commissioner John-Paul Young. We are investigating the matter and will take the appropriate action,” Carter wrote. “I can assure you that you are served each day by some of the most professional and well-educated officers in the State of Louisiana. We are certainly not ‘fools.’ We will not tolerate such insults from a public servant.”
Carter acknowledged Young’s frustrations but emphasized that law enforcement must operate within Louisiana’s legal framework, which protects property owners’ rights. He rejected any form of intimidation or pressure that would conflict with established laws, stating, “We know our job, and we serve you with good faith.”
The debate highlights ongoing tensions over crime, blight, and law enforcement policies in Shreveport, as community leaders and officials grapple with solutions to these pressing issues.
