Shreveport City Council jumped the gun by voting to allow open containers in the Red River District on Tues.
The justification for the vote, as expressed by new council chair Alan Jackson was pathetic at best, saying this change was needed now to jump start business in the Red River District. There was no logic in denying the request by councilman Grayson Boucher to delay the vote to allow Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith to develop procedures to regulate open container drinking in the area under the Texas Street Bridge.
Even Chief Smith expressed some concern on the enforcement procedures which have yet to be formulated along with his shortage of SPD officers to enforce the change. Currently only four SPD officers are on patrol in Shreveport downtown in the late night/early am hours.
Mayor Arceneaux should seriously consider a veto of the ordinance to allow for a detailed review of the ordinance by both SPD and the city attorney. After the adoption of appropriate enforcement procedures, which may need to be in the ordinance, the Council can then enact open container provisions.
A veto would allow additional time for everyone to get their ducks in a row, including the businesses in the district that sell alcohol. Additionally, the restaurant Cassandra's would then have time to seek the proper state permit for open containers.