Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor has introduced a resolution to suspend Shreveport ordinances restricting the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages from August 8 through August 11 in the Red River District extending to Spring Street and Fannin Street.
This resolution will include Commerce Street north of the Red River District and Spring Street from the Blind Tiger to the city block recently purchased by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson that is bounded by Travis Street, Spring Street, Fannin Street and Commerce Street.
This city block is the area where Jackson has announced plans to install a temporary dome for entertainment events during the Humor & Harmony Festival.
This proposal raises many questions, including:
1. How to prevent underage drinking in this area
2. How to prevent persons from bringing their own alcoholic beverages in cans/bottles into the area
3. How to control pedestrians drinking from open containers that may walk in the streets affected--Commerce, Spring Street, Travis Street, Fannin Street
4. How to control the anticipated crowds that in the past have caused property damage with open drinking on the street
5. How to control the anticipated crowds that in the past have had violence encounters
6. What impact will this proposal have on businesses in the delineated area—Cassandra’s, Fatty Arbuckle's, Blind Tiger, Sand Bar and others including bars on Texas Street outside the delineated area?
7. What impact will this have on Shreveport Police Department who will have many assignments during the Humor & Harmony Festival and are understaffed?
8. Will this proposal necessitate installation of portable toilets in the designated area to accommodate anticipated crowds?
Hopefully, there will be substantial discussion of this proposal at the council meetings on Monday and Tuesday of next week. The many issues that this resolution raises could be better addressed in a Public Safety Committee meeting.