Toledo City Leaders Call for Action After Death of Kei’Mani Latigue

TOLEDO, Ohio — City officials in Toledo are pushing for significant changes in response to the tragic death of Kei’Mani Latigue, whose body was discovered in an abandoned home in east Toledo on Monday. The discovery has prompted calls for urgent action regarding the city’s growing problem with abandoned properties.

During a city council meeting on Tuesday, several council members expressed both grief and frustration, questioning what more could have been done to prevent the loss of life. Council President Carrie Hartman shared her shock at the news, stating, “As the news keeps rolling in, it keeps getting more shocking.”

Council member Cerssandra McPherson, among those most vocal about the need for change, emphasized the need to address the city’s backlog of abandoned homes. McPherson, who has been a longtime advocate for revitalizing Toledo’s neighborhoods, argued that it is time to expedite the demolition process for these blighted properties.

“The current process is tied up by property owners who owe between $6,000 and $15,000 in back taxes,” McPherson said. “These unpaid taxes tie up our court systems and prevent us from demolishing the homes, even though it is in the best interest of the community.” She stressed that while demolishing abandoned homes might not eliminate crime entirely, it would be a step toward making neighborhoods safer.

“I do believe if that house had been demolished, that would’ve been one place less that he could’ve hid her,” McPherson added, referring to the abandoned house where Latigue’s body was found.

Hartman acknowledged the urgency of the situation but cautioned that legislative changes would take time. “It’s all happening so fast, so I think it’s going to take us a little bit of time if we’re going to do anything legislation-wise,” Hartman said. “But I know that we’ve already been talking about how we get some of these blighted buildings boarded up.”

The city council’s discussions come amid rising concerns over the growing number of abandoned properties across Toledo. These vacant homes have become hotbeds for criminal activity, including drug use and violence, further contributing to the city’s struggles with public safety.

As city leaders work to find solutions, the call for action highlights the importance of addressing the long-standing issue of vacant and abandoned properties. While progress may take time, the city’s response to this tragedy may serve as a catalyst for more swift action to revitalize neighborhoods and prevent further loss.

The death of Kei’Mani Latigue has become a somber reminder of the stakes in this ongoing debate over abandoned housing and public safety in Toledo.