Yesterday the Shreveport City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on Mayor Tom Arceneaux to declare a state of emergency concerning crime in Shreveport.
The resolution raises many questions.
The first is will Arceneaux follow the request of the council. The mayor released a detailed letter yesterday setting forth all the efforts of his administration to combat crime. This morning he advised Erin McCarty of KEEL radio that he was "pondering" the resolution.
The second question is just what will be the effect of such a declaration. Councilman Alan Jackson has said such a declaration will allow the council to call executive sessions on crime. That statement raises many issues concerning the Open Meetings Law.
The third question is one of timing. The Independence Bowl is Sat. Hopefully, many out of town visitors will consider coming to Shreveport-Bossier for this event. Will such a declaration be publicized in the national/regional media that will be covering the Bowl and all the related activities?
Another question is what else can the Arceneaux administration take more positive actions to combat crime. The mayor has stated that all of the actions requested in the resolution have been already been taken.
Bottomline, was the resolution simple window dressing by the council for their constituents or a recommendation of substance? Does the council want the Mayor to authorize actions that could possibly infringe upon the Constitutional rights of Shreveport citizens?
Mayor Arceneaux should carefully consider the council's request. If he does declare a state of emergency, he should outline what additional powers/actions that he believes such a declaration gives his office and Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith.