Lafayette motels ordered closed due to crime and safety concerns

Two motels located on Evangeline Thruway in Lafayette have been ordered to cease operations following court rulings aimed at addressing persistent public safety and criminal issues. The closures of the Express Inn and the Plantation Motor Inn occurred within a 24-hour period.

Data from the Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) indicates that between 2023 and August 2026, the two properties combined generated 3,975 calls for police service and 541 police reports. Law enforcement recovered 30 firearms and narcotics with an estimated street value exceeding $114,000 from the locations. The Plantation Motor Inn was also noted as the site of a homicide in November 2023.

In addition to criminal activity, inspections of the Express Inn revealed significant safety violations, including issues with structural integrity, electrical systems, plumbing, and fire suppression. While the administration of Mayor-President Monique Boulet led the legal efforts to secure these injunctions, the sudden closures have raised concerns regarding the displacement of residents living at the properties.