Many readers responded to a recent article on questions for Shreveport Mayor Tyler's request for the Shreveport City Council to fund and additional $150,000 for Shreveport Police Department overtime. One reader had many comments and suggestions that should merit sharing to a larger audience, which includes the Shreveport City Council, Mayor Tyler and many in her Administration; 

1. Depending on the rank of officers that are working the overtime, this reader calculated that the OT would last a maximum of 5 months--at 4 hours extra per day, 7 days per week. His calculations were based on the pay structure; reportedly overtime is first offered to officers of lower rank. If supervisors or higher ranking officers are worked OT, then the patrols' may only last 3 to 4 months, according to his calculations. 

2. Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) could be put on patrol and helping with field investigations, so called "knock and talks". Another suggestion was to pull the School Resource Officers (SROs) from Caddo schools for these efforts. 

3. More take home vehicles by SPD would not only prolong the "shelf life" of a unit, but also provide a higher visibility of police officers. 

4. Establish an SPD Officer Reserve, like Bossier City SPD, Bossier Parish Sheriff and Caddo Parish Sheriffs. (SPD is the only local law enforcement agency in the area WITHOUT a reserve force.) The cost of training , estimated to be $1000 to $1500, would be quickly offset by the number of volunteer hours provided and depending on experience level, reserves can assist with accidents, traffic stops, arrest warrant sweeps, field investigations, etc. Reserve officers can drive the older SPD marked vehicles.