By: Prentiss Smith • Contributing Columnist
Declaring a state of emergency in Shreveport is not going to do anything to bring down random acts of violence and homicides in Shreveport. This administration has been in office less than a year and should not be seen as giving up, which declaring a state of emergency signals.
Dealing with neighborhood crime is a complicated issue, and by the time it manifests itself in the form of a violent act, it is too late. Policies must be implemented that deal with root problems, such as poverty, job loss, housing and parent engagement, which includes the lack of fathers in the home.
Crime, especially violent crime, is a problem that has everyone concerned, and rightly so, but grandstanding and window dressing is not the answer. Acute crime in the black community is what we are talking about. Young black men and black women killing each other, seemingly for nothing is what we are talking about. That is the emergency.
Neighborhoods like Allendale, Mooretown and Queensboro are where the hot spots are, and declaring a state of emergency sounds good in the abstract and may make people feel good, but for law enforcement agencies, it is not something that they are clamoring for.
Chief Wayne Smith, who has continued to keep his head down and stay engaged in the work of crime fighting, is not a supporter of an emergency declaration, and he is right. The acts of violence that we see in Shreveport do cause anxiety for citizens, but citizens want real solutions, not photo op/feel good actions that accomplish nothing.
In Shreveport, a concerning trend has emerged, and that is the significant and continued rise in black-on-black crime, a situation that not only threatens the safety and well-being of its residents but also poses a substantial risk to the city's economic vitality and future growth.
The truth is that the notion of declaring a state of emergency, especially prematurely, carries with it profound implications. While it may seem like the powers that be are being tough on crime, it is not going to change one thing in Shreveport.
This is supposed to be an immediate and forceful response to a spiraling crime rate, but such a declaration could have unintended consequences that extend far beyond the immediate goal of crime reduction.
The impact on the city's image and reputation must be considered. The declaration of a state of emergency could be perceived as an admission that the city is unable to manage its own safety, potentially deterring new industries from investing and setting up operations in Shreveport. This perception could also lead to a decline in tourism and hurt local businesses, further exacerbating economic challenges.
The decision to declare a state of emergency without exhausting other strategies may raise concerns about the city's approach to problem-solving and governance. It's essential to explore and implement more sustainable and community-involved strategies that have been shown to be effective.
Those strategies include increased funding for social programs, community policing initiatives, educational and job opportunities, and mental health support. These are the types of actions that are needed to make an impact in these communities. These measures, though perhaps slower to show results, are crucial in addressing the root causes of crime.
It's vital to consider the broader socio-economic factors contributing to the rise in crime. Factors such as systemic inequality, unemployment and lack of access to quality education and health services are often at the core of such issues. Addressing these underlying causes is as important as tackling the crime itself.
Shreveport stands at a crossroads. The city's leadership must balance the immediate need to address rising crime rates with the long-term implications of their actions on the city's economic health and social fabric.
While the allure of quick solutions like declaring a state of emergency is understandable, it's crucial to approach this issue with a focus on sustainable, inclusive and long-term strategies. The future of Shreveport depends not just on reducing crime rates, but on nurturing a community where safety, opportunity and prosperity are accessible to all.
At the heart of any emergency declaration lies a critical implication, and that is that the current strategies and efforts by the chief of police and his officers are seemingly inadequate in curbing the tide of crime. It's a stark acknowledgment, one that opens the administration to scrutiny and possible criticism, despite their well-documented efforts to interdict neighborhood crimes.
As I stated earlier, declaring a state of emergency is not a decision to be taken lightly. It brings a host of unforeseen issues, potentially impacting civil liberties and creating long-term consequences for the community and the administration. Such a decision might indeed come back to bite if not carefully managed and transparently executed.
Declaring a state of emergency also underscores a painful truth – that most of the crime wave is concentrated in urban/black communities. It's a pattern observed not only in Shreveport but also in major cities across the nation. This concentration of crime in specific communities raises profound questions about the underlying social, economic and systemic factors contributing to this trend.
Before resorting to such drastic measures as declaring a state of emergency, it is essential for city leaders to exhaust all other avenues. Community engagement, targeted policing strategies, social programs and economic initiatives are just some of the methods that should be explored and strengthened.
The city must ensure that its response does not solely revolve around policing and enforcement. Addressing the root causes of crime – poverty, lack of education, unemployment and systemic inequality – is critical for a long-term solution.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Shreveport is a clarion call for introspection and action. It's a moment for the city to unite, addressing not only the symptoms of the crime wave but also its underlying causes. Only through a holistic, community-driven approach can Shreveport hope to emerge safer, stronger and more united in the face of this daunting challenge. And that’s my take. smithpren@aol.com