What: an increase in unhoused people sleeping, loitering and panhandling on benches and in front of downtown businesses and some shopping centers.
Where it stands: the administration said the city has asked people to move on with help from the marshal's office, and is looking into where newcomers are coming from. The police chief explained that vagrancy is no longer a crime under state law and that trespass is the clearest enforcement tool. Jail space and the sheriff's willingness to accept arrests were noted as limits.
Next: the administration plans to tell downtown businesses and the public how the city will handle it; a member suggested asking the parish jail about release practices.
Sources
City Council meeting video and transcript, see the meeting page below.