[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6623650,"mediaKeyId","2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93","parentId",2769483,"title","Council approves four fire department pickup trucks after public questions about vehicle-replacement policy","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",1444230,"endMs",1731885,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93&start=1444&end=1731","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93/thumbnail_1444230.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623650/Hammond/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Council-approves-four-fire-department-pickup-trucks-after-public-questions-about-vehicle-replacement-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623650-f885a0467503be68ca81e3dcdb93d5c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196243&Signature=bqmZk9qn6ApKcLjf9G~Su1kpU6kYUUQLUJNmt2qS7hvbkUc3K~~oQdP0DBtnH-NWNBpL~Xo~6fYpPxtv5d3v7wi0LPEFrPx1cFR5qsLsWibfbkiKHwOPAFEd0B~oS80bLObdux8nKWfymxHEVDkIGh7IcdJxvq-D9b4dmKrVMinjVIe3JIHV4~fs2ng-oYzt38ibynvCwKaltIpaqmv0hBQGbH6A5TsRmU91oxWbYNkVovpC5iRB95ONq~kbMdXhmvhjeDPloh6~ucBqWISNN-FtYK9J0GMTvAWJyXCQDEj7bVcLAyfdHHubSCqeMLYdJbIOfARGhROpKHAYcVr6oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hammond","date","2025-03-26T00:13:55.127Z","article","The Hammond City Council on March 25 authorized the purchase of four Ford F-150 crew cab 4WD trucks for the fire department at a total sale price of $191,475, with staff saying the vehicles will serve as quick-response units and be equipped for EMS and small brush-fire response.

Public commenters and at least one councilmember pressed the administration for a clearer, citywide policy on vehicle retirement and replacement. A resident who identified himself as Stanley Campbell noted the frequency of recent vehicle purchases across multiple departments and asked whether the city follows a standard mileage or age threshold, expressing concern that purchases sometimes appear to cluster near leadership transitions.

City staff said departments maintain different replacement policies because usage varies by function: police and fire vehicles experience heavier duty cycles than administrative or street department vehicles. Staff said the administration tries to get maximum useful life from vehicles and that department-specific plans exist; they also noted that some of the vehicles being replaced were 2008, 2011 and 2013 models with high mileage. Staff said the fire department also previously sought grant funding to outfit quick-response trucks and that the proposed pickups would reduce the need to send large apparatus to small brush fires.

Council members asked staff to provide clearer documentation about replacement criteria and to include the garage and department heads in developing guidelines that could be used in budget planning. The purchase was approved; staff said funding for vehicles was discussed in prior budget sessions and that state-contract procurement timing and fiscal-year considerations often influence when purchases are requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hammond, LA - City Council Meeting - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved buying four Ford F-150s for the fire department at state-contract pricing, while members of the public and some councilmembers pressed the administration for clearer, citywide policies on when and how vehicles are retired and replaced.","taxTitle","Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana","taxId",4559,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623654,"Council tables $620,000 West Minnesota Park Road project after debate over concrete vs. asphalt",536,2314580,2851089,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93&start=2314&end=2851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93/thumbnail_2314580.jpg","/articles/6623654/Hammond/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Council-tables-620000-West-Minnesota-Park-Road-project-after-debate-over-concrete-vs-asphalt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623654-f591abbf83c0260fe9d53b6a12064889/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196243&Signature=IkKwcPRg1~s0QDPvf3uA9o2Pj~fOJ8XMNGK2zESwlGVRPLbQ77exR2wlUb5FD-U8Yz~G-6ZAyevHfMEbzmhKVD9cZrQj6swwUqq~q3K6zqtmqKWoKiiumtMliPy531KwZ9P1N9nIo5JGceONkxmVHFWt~Uj1IpqWvcs8fGPhvBvhQ~PzsfI7G7dlhJBOuRvKlIvoDPdt3ccuZifwsuPDR6mR9MmkD~B8An56WRwp~66MirL3iwpr5-sowCginfrusUyxHKhAvNOgdzV~95aV0nvDpuik~-L-ZKt08xUdjzhgXzSXd9A3rChwnHvYj8L4NwYcNxY8sSK5UNiCnfTc3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hammond City Council on March 25 voted to table final action on a proposed improvement project for West Minnesota Park Road after extended debate about materials, cost and scheduling.

Staff said Tangipahoa Parish will grant the city $250,000 toward repairs on the segment west of the Southwest Railroad leading to the mall and big-box stores. The administration recommended a concrete reconstruction, citing longer lifespan and past local examples. Staff presented a total project cost estimate of $620,000; after subtracting the parish amount, staff said the city would need to provide about $370,000 from the grant-match fund.

Councilman Wells and other members pressed for more district-level discussion, questioned whether the parish grant requires asphalt rather than concrete, and asked for a detailed plan and consolidated bidding process that could address other nearby streets. Staff said the parish left the choice of materials to the city and that asphalt cost estimates were lower (approximately $465,000 compared with a higher concrete estimate), but that concrete is expected to last longer and reduce future maintenance.

After discussion and a request from council members representing the affected district to meet with staff and stakeholders (including the mayor and engineering consultants) before finalizing scope and materials, the council voted to table the item so staff could produce additional information and the council could hold a follow-up meeting.

Staff cautioned that delaying the item could push construction beyond the target window to complete work ahead of the holiday season, but members said they preferred to schedule a meeting to resolve material-selection and district-priority concerns before committing city match funds.","The council accepted a $250,000 Tangipahoa Parish grant toward repairs for West Minnesota Park Road but voted to table final approval after members raised concerns about using concrete versus asphalt, timing and district priorities; the estimated total project cost is $620,000 with a $370,000 city match.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623659,"Council debates park safety; staff to upgrade cameras and review event screening",313,3877775,4190920,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93&start=3877&end=4190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93/thumbnail_3877775.jpg","/articles/6623659/Hammond/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Council-debates-park-safety-staff-to-upgrade-cameras-and-review-event-screening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623659-8332be53c5ea75be8e370c73e9ee2fb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196243&Signature=E7yD1TH2H08JFFFtkqEEbpn7IOUsNXCHkFdAbSaPQmBCajUfdoX0LiTgXZTUNdnIpMe-JAwFlGdZwiKk1U-FZ~z4yW9tZOzMC~baEntqXRZUzRvpP5XASjLqJB3imhb0y9AHI7XQz3LJzOwp9I9Lv7FLtQFRr5pdboV9BVMUj~NBOhwipKkve1YETwOPcmBVK4wCzTtwfzTbasPwx~g5ZkHqr76P3LGEKvOF2Gw6GOHn~At7fFOyorqp23mRvpGmlk5YsMMMkLyiTqRs5DyeM2IdhhTzY0e2vGX4i~SayZ57UYPrAyCHkvioCaSKouzJGePKXk682kOhqTwzgeDuTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members raised safety concerns about Hammond parks at the March 25 meeting, discussing recent incidents, the condition and monitoring of park cameras, and whether to pause pavilion reservations until security measures are improved.

A councilmember said park rangers and constituents had flagged safety problems and requested stronger screening and security for permitted events. The council discussed suspending some park activity permits while staff evaluated patrol plans and camera upgrades.

City staff said the administration is seeking quotes for new cameras in at least one park and expects police patrols in parks to increase in April for the spring and summer season. Staff also confirmed that some existing cameras are older models and that IT and police dispatch are working to bring more camera feeds into the police dispatch room for monitoring. Jackson Park and Mooney Avenue cameras were described as currently active; staff said some cameras were recently damaged and realigned based on captured video.

Staff and council members said improved camera placement, better lighting and rumble-strip or other traffic treatments could help at specific problem crossings. The council also noted the high cost of playground equipment and discussed pursuing restitution when vandalism is documented on camera; in one cited case the city pursued prosecution and possible restitution after a conviction in a park-arson case.

Council members asked staff to provide a plan for camera upgrades, the parks monitoring schedule and clarification of whether pavilion and event permits should be paused until security measures are in place.","Following a safety incident at a city park, Hammond council members discussed pausing park activities, upgrading cameras and routing camera feeds to police dispatch; staff said some cameras are older and upgrades are planned before summer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623664,"Council members press for answers after officer-involved injury; call for crisis-response briefing",204,3019775,3224390,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93&start=3019&end=3224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93/thumbnail_3019775.jpg","/articles/6623664/Hammond/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Council-members-press-for-answers-after-officer-involved-injury-call-for-crisis-response-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623664-941cbebe0afce20241121a85985fc4d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196243&Signature=R50pujLVRWJwFkxDbzi6n~RfamVz~zBcg3ni5UCpBF~FW8xsLL0hsCJ6qqe4I6Fu~uB-JO6mQbC2E9B5D20KE-befIKA6~ILNlpmxbpzuI93JFwKDZg3hw~t9-J5JZGjrptp1SqLSibALrIf8pqmf8rlt0KM4HnhhvCP9R-aBkCLN-wZr4b7a5owfQexhIEaznaInhGjj7wx7UDzUS5O56PiJdtslHsnHA9kM0o2rS3~C8IpudG7vzNmDMdrzom7ucSX21qQ4U4sch5Fqw8cEIcgFY43l8-33i88zxOEXg9v8B-j-vGPWo2qik~sVWsnTBW7jCAvQulPYgw~7FF7ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members and residents at the March 25 Hammond City Council meeting pressed for more information and public accountability after an officer-involved incident in February left a man identified in public comments as Bobby McCaskey critically injured and on life support.

Resident Stanley Campbell asked the council to require Police Chief Bergeron to appear before the council and provide an update. Several council members echoed Campbell's request and said they had received questions from constituents and local media coverage that left the community with unanswered questions. Campbell said coverage included a broadcast comment, quoted by meeting speakers, that he said aggravated public concern.

City staff said the police department has a special response team (a tactical unit) but that Campbell's request sought a different capability ' a crisis-response function to provide coordinated public information and oversight in the wake of a serious officer-involved event. A councilmember asked staff to invite the police chief to the next meeting and to provide a briefing on the status of any internal or criminal investigation; staff agreed to pursue scheduling and follow-up.

Speakers also raised concerns about body-worn camera and video evidence: staff said police and city administration have not released body-camera footage in this matter at the time of the meeting and that members of the public have been seeking more information. Council members said transparency about investigatory steps and clearer public communications would help address community concerns.

No formal disciplinary or investigatory outcome was announced at the meeting. Council members requested that the chief of police or appropriate administration representative come before the council to provide an update and that the administration consider whether a broader crisis-response protocol or communications plan is needed for incidents that draw sustained public attention.","Council and residents raised concerns about an officer-involved incident in February that left Bobby McCaskey hospitalized; councilmembers sought a public briefing from the police chief and asked whether the city has a crisis-response protocol for incidents that draw sustained public interest.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":115,"_49":82,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623669,"Hammond council denies rezoning, approves multiple contracts and purchases; several items tabled",0,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769483-fed30e76f64ab1352b810a8f307cfa93&start=2314&end=2314","/articles/6623669/Hammond/Tangipahoa-Parish/Louisiana/Hammond-council-denies-rezoning-approves-multiple-contracts-and-purchases-several-items-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623669-81a8ff3fa08044ab6cd7ea4a0564dff4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196243&Signature=WxMZeueoCGRgaY6CmtCu1EwcW0UsPRLk3rL1vnslJ~qEfbYlMltq2U9P4eIaDEqb1oqqEQwbcTpPNZNEf5GVRB1TUOeD5pveUbVakrccnEg94DZnvJrWzgN64rwbVbCQb0KwwqhQmAyeAQm-98Tg3z49Yyl09GTpZqUsYEQCe-9OwZQU9DQuf98hhnKE0oSgCj0TZkSIcBFErp3csx5-l4wZDvc0PajrNBXlXKI08kwpmwVgzHSxZ2UU~OSrnwc1xDjmcaLvwCrKiFEd2d4WeGH4uHste3tLcWQBkbAUtWhUnRTWmohwMl8MQEk2RpnqiLewx5d-kIZ8LG2SL2SZfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hammond City Council on March 25 denied a rezoning request for a property on South Range Road and approved a slate of contracts and equipment purchases while tabling several items for later consideration.

The council voted to deny an ordinance that would have rezoned 508 South Range Road from RM-2 to MX-C. Council members voted in favor of denying the rezoning at the adoption stage after the property owner requested the item be tabled and did not appear at the hearing.

The council approved an amendment to the city's code of ordinances on condemnation and demolition of unsafe buildings, a change staff said will move applicable state law into local code and remove an outdated demolition-code reference. City attorney/staff described the change as intended to give the building department a clearer demolition checklist.

Council members awarded the low bid for valve curtain and South wastewater treatment plant repairs to Mitchell Contracting for $276,000 and approved a city contract with Tyser Ready Mix for city concrete work under a state contract. The council also authorized the mayor to enter an annual contract with Veil Technical Services for railroad track, signal and bridge inspections (estimated annual amount $33,420).

On equipment and fleet, the council approved the purchase of four Ford F-150 crew cab 4WD trucks for the fire department at a total sale price of $191,475, which the administration said would provide quick-response capability for brush and small-incident response and allow the city to avoid buying larger, more costly fire apparatus for some calls.

The council accepted a $250,000 grant from Tangipahoa Parish Government toward improvements to West Minnesota Park Road but, after extended debate about whether to use concrete or asphalt and concerns about scheduling and district priorities, members voted to table final action on that project to allow further discussion. A street-closure and open-container waiver request for a Cinco de Mayo event was also tabled after staff noted the paperwork submitted bore the wrong date.

The council approved a $50,000 application to the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program for interior improvements at the Miller Memorial Library, a city-owned building described by staff as underused and in need of interior work.

Several items were introduced for later public hearings, including an ordinance to request a conditional use variance to place a mobile home on a vacant lot at 106 Alexander (introduced for a future public hearing after a Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation).

Votes at a glance (key items)
- Deny rezoning: Motion to deny rezoning of 508 South Range Road (RM-2 to MX-C) — outcome: motion to deny passed (Ayes: Councilman Wells; Councilman Divitario; Councilwoman Gonzales; Councilman Andrews; Councilman Leon).
- Ordinance amendment (demolition): Adopt ordinance amending condemnation/demolition code — outcome: approved (Ayes recorded: Councilman Debuterio; Councilwoman Gonzales; Councilman Andrews; Councilman Leon; Councilman Wells).
- WWTP repairs (contract award): Award to Mitchell Contracting, $276,000 — outcome: approved (Ayes recorded: Council members present).
- Tyser Ready Mix contract (state contract): Authorize mayor to sign — outcome: approved.
- Railroad inspections (Veil Technical Services): Authorize annual contract, est. $33,420 — outcome: approved.
- Fire vehicles purchase: Authorize purchase of four F-150s (total $191,475) — outcome: approved.
- West Minnesota Park Road: Accept $250,000 parish grant with $370,000 city match — outcome: tabled for further discussion.
- La Corada Cinco de Mayo closure/open-container waiver: request tabled due to improper paperwork.
- Uncorked (Franconia Fine Wines) wholesale alcohol permit: initially tabled when applicant not present; later reconsidered and approved after applicant arrived.
- T-Mobile Hometown Grant (Mill Memorial Library) $50,000 application: approved.

The council proceeded through a full agenda that included introductions and reports; several items were discussed at length while others were routine approvals. Staff repeatedly emphasized that some approvals were on state-contract pricing or followed standard bid procedures.","At its March 25 meeting the Hammond City Council voted to deny a rezoning request, approved contracts for wastewater repairs and railroad inspections, authorized vehicle purchases and several other resolutions; the council tabled a street-closure permit and a road-repair grant item for further discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves four fire department pickup trucks after public questions about vehicle-replacement policy

Council tables $620,000 West Minnesota Park Road project after debate over concrete vs. asphalt

Council debates park safety; staff to upgrade cameras and review event screening

Council members press for answers after officer-involved injury; call for crisis-response briefing

Hammond council denies rezoning, approves multiple contracts and purchases; several items tabled