DERIDDER — The Beauregard Parish Police Jury approved a new electrical inspection requirement for mobile homes this week at the suggestion of building inspector Billy McShan.

McShan said the inspection would focus on the connection of electrical service lines from a home’s meter box to its service pole. Not requiring such an inspection, he said, could be putting homeowners at risk.

“It’s very important that the connection itself be inspected, because if there is an issue as simple as a fourth wire not being present or not being grounded, that could potentially be a very tragic situation,” McShan said.

The inspection will become part of the requirement on new installations beginning next month and will cost homeowners $100.

“We do not ever like to impose more fees on our constituents,” Police Juror Jerry Shirley said. “But if just one family is saved from this, then I see it as being worth it.”

The panel used to require the inspection on modular homes and mobile homes, but for an unknown reason the requirement was dropped several years ago, Shirley said.