LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has opened a new Fleet Operations center in Lake Charles, replacing its former facility that was destroyed by Hurricane Laura in August 2020.
Officials with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on February 12 for the new complex, located at 4900 Highway 90 East in Lake Charles. The project cost $9.5 million and was funded through a combination of insurance payments and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, according to the agency.
The new Fleet Operations facility is designed to handle the repair and maintenance needs of the sheriff’s office and other public agencies in Calcasieu Parish. The complex includes a body shop, multiple service bays, parts storage, restrooms, and office space.
Sheriff Stitch Guillory said bringing more vehicle maintenance in-house is a key part of the office’s long-term strategy to control operating costs.
“Having the ability to maintain our fleet in-house helps us reduce outside costs and save taxpayer money,” Guillory stated.
The sheriff’s office said the project was initiated under former Sheriff Tony Mancuso and continued under Guillory’s administration. CPSO officials described the new center as a critical investment in the agency’s ability to keep patrol units and other vehicles ready for daily service and emergency response.
“This project, which was initiated under former Sheriff Tony Mancuso, is an investment in the people who serve Calcasieu Parish every day, helping us ensure our vehicles and fleet are ready to respond,” Guillory stated. “This is not just a benefit for us here at CPSO, but also for the numerous other law enforcement and parish agencies that our Fleet Division services around Calcasieu Parish.”
Project partners included VSG Architects as the engineer on the development, Keiland Construction as the contractor, and Del Sol Consulting Inc. as the program manager.
To mark the opening, Sheriff Guillory hosted a luncheon for CPSO deputies on February 12 to celebrate the grand opening of the facility. The event was sponsored by Keiland Construction, Bolton Ford, Miguez Fuel & Lubricants, and Bardin Vending.
With the new Fleet Operations center now open, CPSO officials say they are aiming for greater efficiency in vehicle maintenance and improved readiness across the parish’s law enforcement and public safety fleet.