The Shreveport City Council is insisting on prompt action by the Arceneaux administration on moving the Shreveport Police Department Headquarters personnel to new locations.

Mayor Arceneaux sent a letter today (Oct. 4) to the Council members detailing the efforts of his administration to find alternative locations. The letter had 18 possible properties. The letter stated that at least three other locations would be reviewed soon.

Of the 18 , four were vacant school buildings owned by the Caddo Parish School Board:

1. Lakeshore Elementary at 1807 San Jacinto Ave.

2. E. B. Williams Stoner Hill Elementary at 2127 C.E. Galloway Blvd.

3. Sunset Acres Elementary at 6414 W. Canal Blvd..

4..Werner Park Elementary at 2715 Corbit St.

All of these facilities could accommodate various SPD departments. Several of these schools are in high crime areas and a substation would be beneficial to the neighborhoods. At least two of them have fairly new HVAC units and all have adequate parking.

The Council should make every effort to whittle down this long list. Tours of the best locations by Council members would also be appropriate.

Why not go ahead and see if the Caddo School Board will entertain leasing one or all of the above schools to the City of Shreveport? Hopefully the Board will not require rent, but only that the City pay all utilities, all maintenance/renovation costs, provide insurance, and leave the buildings in the same or better condition than at the start of the lease.

The Board could pass a resolution showing support for the lease of designated schools and details on the lease. This would greatly facilitate the relocations of units from the Texas Ave. location. Additionally, it would be great step to show support and unity on an issue very important to Shreveport.