The Shreveport Police Department has three mobile surveillance camera trailers that are tied into the Real Time Crime Center. Currently, two of these are on North Market Street and one is at Ford Park.
Downtown crime was discussed at the Shreveport City Council's Public Safety Committee yesterday. The recent shooting of four persons, two of which died, in the 200 block of Texas was a major focus.
Councilman Gary Brooks, the committee chair, asked Assist. Chief Antoine Smith if one of the mobile cameras could be located in the vicinity of the Texas and Spring Street intersections on Friday and Saturday nights.
His request was supported by all the council members present. The owner of two of the bars in the 200 block of Texas, who spoke at the meeting, supported this request.
Chief Smith, filling in for SPD Chief Wayne Smith, indicated his acquiescence to this request. Presumably the mobile camera trailers will be downtown this coming Friday and Saturdays.
Chief Smith said SPD would like to have three more cameras. The council members approved this request and urged SPD to make these purchases asap. Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark acknowledged that the needed funds (approximately $40,000 per trailer) were available in the Public Safety Fund.