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Committee debates downtown shootings, deploys surveillance trailers and launches multi‑agency operation
Summary
Shreveport public safety leaders and council members discussed a recent downtown shooting, deployment and movement of three surveillance trailers, and plans for a multi‑agency enforcement operation aimed at repeat violent offenders.
Shreveport’s Public Safety Committee on Thursday focused on recent downtown shootings and stepped-up surveillance and enforcement tactics, including moving a surveillance trailer into downtown on weekend nights and launching a multi‑agency operation to target a small group of violent offenders.
Deputy Chief White told the committee police are running a sustained cruising operation for the summer and that surveillance trailers already purchased can be redeployed: "We could move one of those trailers downtown on the weekends," he said. Council members discussed combining fixed pole cameras with the trailers for broader coverage.
Councilwoman Taylor, a frequent critic of downtown violence, described a planned, multi‑jurisdictional initiative involving federal and local partners: "We have a multi jurisdictional operation that we're getting to launch ... all the alphabets ... and we also have ... juvenile probation, and US attorney's office, sheriff's office, everyone, all of our partners here. We're gonna be working and, that less than 5% that's terrorizing our city. We just want to know that we coming." Deputy Chief White said the operation would focus on a small number of individuals responsible for much of the violence.
Committee members discussed the deterrent effect of the trailer cameras and compared costs. Multiple council members and police staff gave price estimates for equipment: trailer surveillance units were discussed in the roughly $30,000–$40,000 range, while smaller fixed pole cameras were cited at about $3,500 each. Council members urged flexible use of the three existing trailers and recommended purchasing more trailers or fixed cameras from the public safety fund as needed.
Police officials said trailers have been used for parades and could be moved to downtown during high‑activity times. Deputy Chief White said the Real Time Crime Center monitors fixed cameras in the 200 block of Texas and that camera placement considers both tactical entry/exit points and existing coverage.
Several council members and downtown business owners said they want a visible law‑enforcement presence to deter problems while preserving the downtown entertainment economy. Business owner Miss Holden said she had assisted with funding officers on specific nights and said she wants better coordination between businesses and SPD.
Council members asked police for a specific count of stationary cameras needed downtown to inform any additional spending; police committed to provide that figure.
Ending: The committee did not vote on new purchases at the meeting but directed staff and SPD to provide counts and cost estimates so council members can consider additional surveillance trailers or fixed cameras from existing public safety funds. Members also continued planning the multi‑agency operation targeting repeat violent offenders.
