Shreveport Police Department is Cracking-Down on Squatters

The Shreveport Police Department has been working hard on ridding neighborhoods of squatters throughout our city.

Since the new ordinance against squatting went in to effect in April of this year, Officers with SPD have been enforcing the law to keep neighborhoods safe, property-owners' rights protected, and vacant structures from being damaged.

Earlier this week, SPD arrested James Amos, Tammy Murphy, and Bobby Franks for squatting in violation of the ordinance. Along with the squatting charge, Murphy also charged with some animal-related offences after SPD found conditions that they believed posed a danger to the animal's welfare.

Over the weekend, SPD arrested Khalid Rollins for squatting in a vacant structure. Khalid was also charged on drug-related offences when drugs were found during the investigation.

The enforcement of the squatting ordinance has already started to discourage people from occupying vacant structures. Squatting is often closely connected to other crimes such as drug use, theft, and destruction of property.

From SPD:

"The goal of this ordinance is not only to hold offenders accountable but to restore a sense of security for residents who live near vacant properties. We are determined to protect our neighborhoods and ensure that abandoned structures are not breeding grounds for crime.

The Shreveport Police Department urges residents to report any suspicious activity related to abandoned properties. Working together, law enforcement and the community can deter crime and protect the quality of life across the city."