It’s an issue that no one really likes to talk about. But if you work downtown, you know it’s a gnawing problem that seemingly does not get in better.

Downtown buildings/lobbies are frequently inhabited during office hours by street people. These people make some downtown  buildings there daytime "park"-- a place out of the weather with restroom access. Often they have bags of possessions they bring into the  building lobbies and public areas as well as food.

Panhandlers are frequently on downtown streets, occupying both high traffic areas and ancillary streets. Depending on their age, sex and race these people can be intimidating to some they approach asking for money.

Homeless individuals are regular campers in the downtown area. They can be found on the main arteries--Texas Street, Milam, Travis, Crocket, Texas Avenue and other streets in the downtown area. Obviously sanitation is a challenge for these individuals as well as their belongings and the temporary shelters they construct.

Shopping cart persons are frequently in downtown. These poor souls with carts full of possessions move around on streets and frequently are parked in public areas like the Caddo Courthouse and Caddo Commons.

All too often these individuals do not want to go to homeless shelters for many reasons. These include the structure/rules of these facilities as well as mental challenges. They choose a lifestyle that includes panhandling and street camping.

With the large number of anticipated crowds for the Humor & Harmony Festival, the number of panhandlers, street people and downtown campers are likely to increase. The area around Municipal Plaza attracts campers, as well as the Red River District.  The same is true for many of the downtown garages that are usually empty after business hours; these will be utilized much more for nighttime/early morning hours during the festival.

The large crowds coming to Municipal Plaza, the Convention Center, Red River District, Festival Plaza, the DOME and downtown in general Thursday, August 8 through Sunday, August 11 could be a magnet for other "undesirables" to temporarily migrate to the area. Good intentioned people/groups that "donate" to panhandlers. Street people and campers as well as groups that provide food in the downtown area should cease these activities--at least during the festival.

A concentrated and coordinated effort is being made to make downtown as safe as possible during the festival by the  Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff Office, other law enforcement officials and private security hired by the Festival. Unfortunately, current Shreveport ordinances are not that helpful to deal with these issues which become more obvious at time when the Shreveport community wants to put its best foot forward and "look good" for out of town visitors.