Do you remember Landry Anglin who was visiting her grandparents in South Highland and was killed by a stray gunshot from a rolling gun battle?
And how about the death of a star basketball player Devin Myers walking home who was shot five times in the back?
There were just two senseless murders of Shreveport juveniles who were not involved in any criminal activities nor associated with any gangs.
There are many more incidents in Caddo Parish where innocent people have been murdered or seriously injured by gunfire in the last four years. Caddo Parish had 357 homicides in the years 2020-2024. Of these 57 were juveniles.
In conjunction with the Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Foundation, Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn and Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith announced the formation of the Anglin/Myers Initiative to prevent and solve crimes at a press conference yesterday (Mon.). One component of the four part strategic plan is to greatly increase the number of surveillance cameras throughout Shreveport.
These high resolution cameras will be mounted on poles and/or buildings. They will operate 24/7, and will be tied into Shreveport's Real Time Crime Center. And the top of the line cameras are not cheap--$5,500.
In an admirable act of courage both the parents of the slain children were in attendance. And the parents were not the only ones with tears in eyes when they were introduced to the large crowd.
During the press event I offered to buy the first camera for this initiative. Three others in attendance also joined in the effort. With the donation of a camera from the Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Foundation, the Anglin/Myers Initiative now has five cameras that can soon be deployed.
Citizens who want to make all of Shreveport a safer city can help with this effort by buying one of these cameras. The Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Foundations is accepting the donations and coordinating the camera purchases, at no charge.
The website can be accessed at https://www.brcollab.com/.
Caddo Sheriff Public Information Officer Breck Scott can answer questions about the Initiative as well camera purchases. His email is breck.scott@caddosheriff.org and his cell is (318) 681-0666.
Let’s see how many surveillance cameras can be purchased in the coming days to make Shreveport a safer place to live, work and play. It's time to stop the talk and reach for the credit card for a tax deductible contribution.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.