In recent months there have been many issues with downtown bar patrons and their actions OUTSIDE the downtown clubs.

Violence, dancing in the streets and disorderly conduct has been well documented.

The Shreveport noise ordinance, which apply throughout the city, have been cussed and discussed by bar owners, patrons and downtown residents.

Today on the KEEL morning show SPD Chief Wayne Smith made many salient comments on this issue.

Here is a summary:

1. There are several Shreveport ordinances that deal with noise, and in some instances they conflict.

2. The most cited ordinance deals with the decibel level of noise and the distance of 50 feet.

3. SPD has recently purchased noise decibel meters to help with enforcement and one is dedicated to the downtown patrol unit.

4. Chief Smith made a one o'clock a.m. tour of the downtown bars on a weekend to personally check out noise levels, and he personally discussed with more than one club manager noise levels.

5. Music played on the roof patio of the HAZE nightclub can be heard for an extended distance that can be heard in downtown streets, apartments and empty parking lots.

6. The noise inside clubs can often be heard on the streets and can be violative of the noise ordinance.

7. Citations have been issued for noise violations in the downtown area. (This author has made a public records request for these citations.)

8. Many residents go downtown to the empty parking lots to "party", congregate with friends, and enjoy the music emanating from the clubs without paying cover charges to enter. These gatherings can be the source of disturbances.

9. The downtown area is unique with building common walls, alleys and high-rise buildings and these factors contribute to and exacerbate the travel and intensity of music/noise from downtown

establishments.

10. A specific noise ordinance is needed for the downtown district because of its uniqueness, and it should have graduated penalties including the revocation of liquor licenses for repeated violations.

11. Loud noise for extended intervals can be a health factor and cause permanent danger.

Chief Smith said the SPD will continue to enforce the current ordinance dealing with decibel levels. He is hopeful a new ordinance for downtown will be enacted in the near future by the council.