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# AI, fines join blight fight
- URL: https://www.redeyebr.com/ai-fines-join-blight-fight/
- Published: 2026-09-23T02:34:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-23T02:34:17.000Z
- Description: Reducing trash, overgrown lots and abandoned buildings is at the top of Mayor Sid Edwards' list. He's adding some ammo to take to the fight.
- Author: Mukul Verma
- Tags: News

City-parish government is making several more moves to fight blight, signaling that the issue remains a focus of Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ administration.

**Why it matters:** Removing trash and demolishing abandoned buildings improves the quality of life for nearby residents. Research also shows that reducing blight can help reduce crime.

**The details:** Edwards is asking the Metro Council to increase fines for overgrown lots, dumped trash and unsecured vacant buildings.

- The proposed fine for a first offense involving tall grass or weeds would increase from $125 to $300.
- The fine for a first offense involving trash or debris would rise from $150 to $500.
- The penalty for failing to secure a vacant structure against unauthorized entry would increase from $117 to $200 per day.

**What’s more:** The administration plans to use new technology to map blight across the parish.

The parish has proposed a $549,000 contract with [City Detect](https://www.citydetect.com/?ref=redeyebr.com), a company that uses artificial intelligence and street-level cameras to catalog blighted properties.

Under the deal, which would run through 2029, City Detect would provide five cameras to be mounted on city-parish vehicles.

The cameras would identify problems such as blight, broken sidewalks, graffiti and illegal signs. The information would help the parish categorize problems, particularly in neighborhoods where blight is underreported.

The technology also could be used to identify storm debris.

William Daniel, who leads the Department of Public Works, said the parish also is using AI in its 311 system to record infrastructure problems and other complaints. That is freeing employees to focus on other work.

**The bottom line:** Higher fines and new technology could help control blight—but only if the parish enforces its codes and follows up on reported problems. 

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