(The Center Square) – Shreveport’s Block by Block initiative finished its first phase, collecting 810.9 tons of litter in designated areas after months of community pickup.
The blight-driven initiative began in June and brought in more than 312 volunteers from the community, along with city officials. High-need neighborhoods that received assistance included Ingleside, Highland, Queensborough, MLK, Cedar Grove, Allendale, Pines Road, Stoner Hill, Southern Hills, Mooretown and Broadmoor.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux spoke highly of the impact the recent initiative has had on the community.
“Block by Block is more than a cleanup – it’s a community comeback,” said Arceneaux. “What started as a bold idea to fight blight has become a citywide movement powered by pride, service, and collaboration. I’m incredibly proud of what our team and citizens have accomplished together. And we’re not done yet.”
From June through September, the neighborhood cleanups collected 810.9 tons of litter, equivalent to 1.7 million pounds, and 3,035 tires. The Shreveport Fire Department also joined in on efforts and installed 50 free smoke alarms while performing fire safety inspections on hundreds of homes.
“The numbers tell the story,” Arceneaux said. “But the real success is in the pride residents feel when they see their neighborhoods cared for and their city working alongside them. That’s the future we’re building – block by block.”
According to Arceneaux’s office, the initiative’s second phase is well underway, with an official announcement closing in. This second phase will continue to focus on neighborhood cleanups, expanding to other areas of focus and deeper community engagement.
