(Natchitoches)-Sheriff Stuart Wright is pleased to announce that the public will once again see Offender Litter Crews working on Parish and State Highways.
This is partially due to the lifting of COVID related protocols by the Department of Corrections and the classification of DOC inmates within the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
Sheriff Wright appreciates the public’s patience over the past year regarding the excessive litter build up since Covid-19 pandemic hit.
According to Major Roger Henson, in previous years the Detention Center housed approximately 400 DOC offenders and were able to classify many of them to assist the parish and city governments along with various civic and non-profit organizations, such as schools and churches to name a few. These offenders assisted with pot-hole road repair, grass cutting, and general maintenance duties throughout the parish. Since that time, our DOC population has reduced to approximately 100 DOC offenders. The reduced DOC numbers are mainly due to the implementation of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Reforms along with our current staffing issues, which are also effecting agencies across the state. Despite these reductions, we have been able to classify a small number of DOC offenders to ONLY accommodate a Litter Crew at this time.
“I would like to personally thank all citizens of Natchitoches who have taken the time and initiative in efforts to help keep our historic parish beautiful,” said Sheriff Wright. “We would also remind all to be responsible with our trash, discard it in the appropriate manner, and report anyone illegally dumping trash or littering within our parish.”
To see approved Natchitoches Parish compactor and bin sites in your areas, please visit https://npgov.org/solid-waste-management/.
In addition, we continue to ask for your help in identifying anyone who violates the law by illegally dumping trash or littering within our parish.
To report a violation contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-352-6432.
To request a Litter Crew in your area contact the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center at 318-357-9300.
According to Major Henson, in three days last week over 300 bags of trash was removed from parish roadways.
