Franklin Council addresses waterfront plans and city projects

Mayor Eugene Foulcard and the City Council discussed public safety, waterfront improvements, infrastructure projects and other city business during their regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Geraldine Anderson, a Willow Street resident, spoke to the council about recent shootings and violent crime, saying residents are concerned about their safety. She suggested more police patrols in affected neighborhoods, surveillance cameras in high-crime areas, a stronger community-based safety plan and better communication with residents.
Mayor Foulcard said the city shares those concerns and noted that crime and shots-fired calls have dropped significantly since Police Chief Cedric Handy took over in 2023. He said keeping Franklin safe will take cooperation among police, families, schools, churches, community groups and residents. He also encouraged residents to report problems and work with police.
Council Member Pearl Rack said the Police Department holds community meetings, but attendance has been low, and offered to work with Anderson on starting a neighborhood watch program.
Handy later presented the council with crime statistics, showing a 55.6% decrease in crime during his nearly three years as chief. Shots-fired calls dropped from 75 in 2022 to 59 in 2023, 41 in 2024 and 32 in 2025. During the first six months of 2026, there were four calls. Handy said the department has more officers on staff and credited them with helping bring crime down. He also reported an increase in traffic accidents.
Handy also discussed Louisiana’s new e-bike laws, saying officers will enforce the laws in Franklin and may stop riders to check whether they are following the rules.
Foulcard gave an update on Franklin’s participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program. Franklin was one of only six communities nationwide selected for the program. Planning over the past year and a half has included public meetings, community outreach and walking audits.
Much of the planning is focused on Parc Sur La Teche and the Bayou Teche waterfront. Ideas being considered include improvements to the boardwalk, an open-air pavilion, gathering areas, lighting, landscaping, public art, accessibility, docking facilities and better pedestrian connections to the Historic Main Street District.
The mayor also reported that work on the Franklin Water Treatment Plant is nearing completion. The project is in its second and final phase, which includes improvements to the raw water intake system, electrical components and other equipment. The council also approved a change order for the project.
During the meeting, the council approved the sale of surplus city property through sealed bids and authorized the issuance of up to $700,000 in Revenue Anticipation Notes. Board members also approved financing for a new street sweeper and an agreement involving Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company for temporary use of city property during pipeline abandonment work.
The council authorized the mayor to handle documents and applications related to the Delta Regional Authority’s Fiscal Year 2026 federal award program and appointed Leslie Luquette to the Historic District Commission.
All measures brought before the council were approved by the four councilmembers present. Councilman Jaime Robison was absent.