The grievances of residents took center stage at Tuesday’s City Council agenda meeting. The first issue dealt with dangerous traffic along Benoit Lane on to Jennifer Street. Councilman Mark Eckard introduced the group that spoke at the meeting. Some talked about close calls neighbors have had with drivers speeding down the road while others just mentioned the nuisances associated with the traffic.

Eckard has been behind the efforts to find solutions to the traffic problems along the two roads, including requesting that police spend time in the area. In an effort to provide additional options, councilman Rodney Geyen suggested the residents look into financing “speed humps” along the road.

At the end of the discussion, Public Works Director Mister Edwards said a traffic study would be completed in the area. Future decisions on how to help the flow of traffic along the roads would be based on that information.

“There’s a certain number of cars in a certain amount of time that has to come through there. Then we’ll recommend what needs to go in there,” Edwards said.

The biggest discussion of the evening was about loose dogs in a neighborhood. Several residents of Booker Street told stories about their encounters with some of the large-breed dogs in that area. The council also heard stories from the residents about the responses they have gotten from Calcasieu Parish Animal Services.

The conversation itself was a continuation from one earlier in the month when residents from the same neighborhood made similar complaints. City attorney Billy Loftin steered the discussion during the meeting.

Corey Rubin, assistant city attorney, told the council that Animal Services recommended the council revisit ordinances concerning dangerous dogs. With that information, Loftin provided the council with an ordinance that would allow the city to amend the definition of vicious and dangerous dogs in the city’s code. The city would also be able to amend other provisions to address related issues.

He went on to talk about how there is a section in the code that addresses dogs “running at large.”

“The minute it gets off her property, it’s prohibited. It’s a violation,” Loftin said. “Animal Control can say whatever they want. We’re not getting what we’re paying for. That’s all I have to say.”

Loftin said the information about the dangerous dog label is being made more complicated than it should be. He reiterated how his frustration stemmed from those residents not feeling safe in their own neighborhood.

“They’re playing wordsmith and games with the definition of dangerous and vicious,” Loftin said. “It’s a game with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury staff with not wanting to do the job we contracted with them to do. I don’t know how else to say it.”

The council’s next regular meeting will feature a few familiar items. The council will revisit the recent decisions by Lake Charles Alcohol Review Board to strip several gas stations of their liquor licenses.

The gas stations were associated with recent synthetic urine busts by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. The council will also look at adjudicated properties.(MGNonline)