[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6225473,"mediaKeyId","3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494","parentId",3536973,"title","Shreveport reports dozens of squatting calls since April and more than a dozen convictions under new ordinance","audioSeconds",168,"startMs",3838000,"endMs",4006000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494&start=3838&end=4006","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494/thumbnail_3838000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6225473/Shreveport-City/Caddo-Parish/Louisiana/Shreveport-reports-dozens-of-squatting-calls-since-April-and-more-than-a-dozen-convictions-under-new-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225473-87c2823ea6f29f6f78b36e7fe6616573/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204398&Signature=Z4f-QbplX8ci3mXirlSyGG3dYcF9f-IY~7rHPMRql3SGRPlOwdr8oFa4RmZGgLWF7ydt5Wi41k5PorPoVIcMyj9kqe5-3LyHWV5IVmNe9sGnb-VkGZ~CaK1OE~GJf5BOY4IclpndX3RZm0Atm32yI0tAkuISKtkPsdMmiJ~EyWOdMPqMaQ0rxw9w8qby2mv1XNNvwQLvUAa0xY7ww6Sim5pmIVLRCqnlclXvI73pfKSWCndmYOn~rAeaFpu8D2Rajh7X4QRCx83yH7tK3ittRHLR68jcT-O2DVnWJBMuLQxS0fFF2HCBeUji2cJ7Ww-q4xlqIHRG8Wo7XcV5X5jqqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Shreveport","date","2025-05-24T07:16:58Z","article","Chief Smith and other department officials updated the Public Safety Committee on enforcement of the city’s new squatting ordinance. The department said it received 63 squatting‑related calls since April 3, made over 20 arrests and that 12 defendants had so far been found guilty and served an average of 20–30 days; another speaker reported 17 convictions by guilty plea or no contest.

Attorney Edwards clarified the charge for convicted defendants is the city’s squatter ordinance, identified in committee discussion as section 38‑11: “It’s actually the squatter's law. And that ordinance that you all passed, 38 11,” he said. The item was discussed in the context of a homeowner complaint on Fairfield; Chief Smith said officers had been re‑trained after one misinformed response to that homeowner.

Officials said outcomes have included guilty pleas, jail time (credit served in some cases), fines and court‑ordered programs. Staff said several cases are pending and that court processing continues.

Committee members and staff emphasized the need for clear guidance to officers responding to complaints so homeowners are not incorrectly told to “hire an attorney” as a first step. Chief Smith said training and roll‑call briefings were underway to ensure officers are familiar with the ordinance and appropriate response steps.

No new ordinance language was adopted at the meeting; officials described enforcement activity and court dispositions to date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Committee Meeting 05/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Police told the Public Safety Committee they received 63 squatting‑related calls since April 3, made more than 20 arrests and recorded at least 17 convictions (guilty or no contest) under the new municipal ordinance codified as section 38‑11.","taxTitle","Shreveport City, Caddo Parish, Louisiana","taxId",3917,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225477,"SPD outlines unified plan to address cruising; summer interns to study behavior",660,2594000,3254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494&start=2594&end=3254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494/thumbnail_2594000.jpg","/articles/6225477/Shreveport-City/Caddo-Parish/Louisiana/SPD-outlines-unified-plan-to-address-cruising-summer-interns-to-study-behavior","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225477-c96446e11f99f136038354d6db6c363a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204398&Signature=o6rAj9dhzhDbbGp7OUhKj9SHlkiW8aLXONib0qA6hlitXHY-qQt7bZE8SS4gYEktQ4AhH3OpYA~Z1UV4gbXf7NGUPYfuczZCgl0K7L3idfiWzKtAn5JlypsftA1xXrXxaxWpk1lx0EBA~EODeCqqc7DhFEdProyYTznETbZb4MnQmmH-rIG61RnVva~7rJPkP2PKxdAQPLbNrs4uJtQRpFwIe-3Mrh6UwmnNV1NbSChBiyF2mjFG3iN9eTO1hKLRXN2lII5fBxN8xE2A08LOJanqrMmAriLPOG3U7gB~7zbUxVkpKn7Runqr1ArkruyOA00SaHO~N6sw7u8xPLl-KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Captain Kelly told the Public Safety Committee the department has a unified standard operating procedure for addressing cruising and has adjusted downtown and traffic patrol hours to cover peak times. She said the department has an agreement with Caddo Parish Sheriff Whitehorn to have deputies assist and is using auxiliary officers where appropriate.

\"We have what we think is a pretty good plan to address the cruising and ample number of officers,\" Captain Kelly said. She emphasized the department’s preference to monitor gatherings and intervene when activity escalates into safety hazards or ordinance violations: “We monitor the situation. We get involved when it begins to get chaotic or it tends to be going toward, violations of ordinances and laws.”

Council members asked how officers disperse large gatherings and whether residents should call the nonemergency line. Captain Kelly said reporting via the nonemergency number helps the department locate and address disruptive behavior, and said a sufficient police presence tends to reduce problems.

The department plans a summer research project led by interns to better understand cruising behavior and tailor responses. Chief Smith said two interns will assist with in‑depth research; Captain Kelly said the interns are expected to bring social‑media and youth‑culture insights that the department lacks.

No committee action was required; staff said they will continue operational deployments and follow up on results from the intern research.","Captain Kelly said the department put in place unified standard operating procedures for cruising, is adjusting patrol schedules, partnering with the sheriff's office and auxiliary police, and will host a summer research project with interns focused on cruising behavior.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225481,"Shreveport Police: 54 of 58 new vehicles are in service; four await parts",87,660000,747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494&start=660&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494/thumbnail_660000.jpg","/articles/6225481/Shreveport-City/Caddo-Parish/Louisiana/Shreveport-Police-54-of-58-new-vehicles-are-in-service-four-await-parts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225481-a315790ec7c43aaf69630b8c9fb5b5f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204398&Signature=cPHK9EYJQ5bgeetcQgJkJ1Sr6~Oze~5VzuSfYcmgU3xAtUa5ypSHHiEM-kCUQIZbLmcI8ehmRMbErNSjKl5y9-qt3jijUxmk-se9ZpqcvIWYi4eJQ0aI2K7F7BSGajklyObqXIJhDSzRcLPDxV54igsSzDZJJoLC0MPMemIQ0Y~1FJrrBygj-JCqj2G-0xOZBKvH70MKWtEd-5ICuUwq9OuV42fwc92E9ya8aGBExs7xTwi5Mq8ZiafhEmhxGb2QBxyotPIwdaZNcZoFDaEiBCa4Gep0VkaBQwRupvRU8L~YmR~tFJGbfX~JTVmKZWZJNLg1uoAeUJduBJC~UVGHcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Smith told the Public Safety Committee that the department ordered 58 new vehicles and that “54 of the 58 are in service.” He added that four vehicles still needed to be outfitted and that some units were returned because they arrived damaged and required replacement parts.

The order included a mix of patrol cars and five pickup trucks intended for lake patrol duties; Chief Smith said pickup trucks would assist with calls on and near city lakes when not assigned to lake patrol.

Committee members asked whether the vehicles were already in the field; Chief Smith said “pretty much so” and confirmed the in‑service number.","Chief Smith told the Public Safety Committee the department ordered 58 new vehicles; 54 are outfitted and in service and four remain to be completed because of parts delays or damaged returns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225486,"Shreveport police firing range nearly complete; department says $2.2 million came from 2021 bond",113,775000,888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494&start=775&end=888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494/thumbnail_775000.jpg","/articles/6225486/Shreveport-City/Caddo-Parish/Louisiana/Shreveport-police-firing-range-nearly-complete-department-says-22-million-came-from-2021-bond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225486-ea00d95c70bf67f6db40f572f7f3c171/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204398&Signature=aF~DUykC527UwjgLmZNX3BDyShG~S8ozxLD0L5tBKDKi0mbszdEh5DJaTL3TRTxUT4fceiCZ1zt2EHhEbF54nPIFQ7k1qdPAu3JICAJkte8JXV80QZxqk4yLFS5~FwS7jjH-EXvWjU4OYFT3yaWLY7tITo5dYCVPP62MCAyCsJrpCd1r8BrrZPQL3c-kntSGZOXzuulESwWeBSwSK~RgyZh5vRVxw47Y1tvgaTzNueJTXyZa0ScQZneIEXSIZ7OiageIFgIKUSw~KFQvGzcfyB4RlUeu5pIxzBWcaO6GzgaM6NkQ-YkseqFb~lswCDqnz3C41BEVV1n~8VVwwdgkRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Smith told the Public Safety Committee on May 23 that the department’s firing range is “about 99% complete” and should be “100% operational” once bullet‑resistant glass for the control booth arrives. “As a matter of fact, this past Monday, we did a test run on it,” he said.

Council members asked about the project’s cost and funding. Chief Smith said the range cost “$2,200,000” and that the funding “was part of the bond package.” A committee member asked whether that was the 2021 bond; the chief replied, “That’s correct.”

Chief Smith said the previous range was outdated and raised health concerns: “The ventilation system, was not adequate,” he said, and the facility had required frequent welding and repairs since at least 1980. The new range, he said, is “state of the art” and addresses lead contamination and ventilation issues.

No formal committee action or vote was reported. Staff indicated the final control‑booth component was expected to arrive in the next week, at which point training and operational use would begin.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about the control booth and whether other substations have bullet‑resistant glass; Chief Smith said the department’s substations have bullet‑resistant glass at public counters.","Chief Smith told the Public Safety Committee the new firing range is about 99% complete, with final bullet‑resistant glass for the control booth expected the following week; the department said the project cost about $2.2 million from the 2021 bond package.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6225491,"Shreveport recommends Cedar Grove Park for permanent Southeast police substation",1540,958000,2498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494&start=958&end=2498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536973-82f702f859ab5acc15db74595fe62494/thumbnail_958000.jpg","/articles/6225491/Shreveport-City/Caddo-Parish/Louisiana/Shreveport-recommends-Cedar-Grove-Park-for-permanent-Southeast-police-substation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6225491-9817264445f6f141d6c247134d8e0bfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204398&Signature=ZKFNFT1-n9COgPT8xUmIerrtS~tac4eHbZRC~XLfjwkKRITPcpVPVAvxOzFhfg-D3VBdIZAmnQ0eMpuCvvrtkpFn6e-YGuvh2Kg8MultpHzhFAGoJHxDs5lcv4MSbHySkpGHwDHJ3Os3xEfDWGgyJin8Vm02MIIBrwpI7TMp6SbydQL0jMh5Y4FcxlQiGlijco5uMu5PMp0f-OazTj5R-OAftkQWGXrUuIyBjV-GDiRC90T5hH35gQYOmhuznHJpiNfUA~X-G3uGdILUwmQt5FsAXTXbCTHJFI4ANf65CUyz~ts9BXxe3ecb-NpSaRxrPniDhZAmEQGJXgxN5n~sGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Smith, Chief of Police, told the Public Safety Committee on May 23 that the department had identified Cedar Grove Park at 6901 Saint Vincent as “the very best location that we could find” for a permanent Southeast Shreveport police substation.

The recommendation matters because the site would keep playgrounds and most park facilities intact while adding a permanent police presence that the department says could support youth programming through a national partner. “Once we get it developed, this could be a national model for the entire country,” Chief Smith said, referring to a potential Police Athletic League (PALS) partnership.

Committee discussion focused on speed, access and parking. Chief Smith said the Saint Vincent site could be fast-tracked because the substations use a standardized footprint and design: “All of our substation are the same footprint, the same design, so we won't have to go through the design phase and all of that stuff that takes time,” he said. He estimated the Saint Vincent site would take less than a year from start to finish once work begins.

Councilwoman Taylor raised operational and geographic concerns, asking, “Who's going to be at the substation?” and pressing whether the location would serve neighborhoods farther east and southeast. Chief Smith responded the captain, an executive officer and a duty lieutenant would be assigned at the substation and that officers would check in and head immediately into the field, and said the department does not expect service to decline from any part of Area 2.

Staff also presented alternatives the department considered. A temporary option at a building on Alexander Street that Centenary University recently purchased was estimated to cost a minimum of about $132,000 to occupy for 10–12 months; staff said bringing the building up to code and making it ADA compliant would add roughly $30,000. Chief Smith recommended against spending that amount for a short-term lease and instead continuing to use the Kingston Road location as the interim facility while the Saint Vincent site is built.

City planning staff told the committee an amendment to the Unified Development Code is being prepared to make substations a use of right in the current zoning classification; staff said they expect the Metropolitan Planning Commission to act in June on that amendment.

No formal vote was taken at the committee meeting. Chief Smith recommended proceeding with the Saint Vincent location, using Kingston Road as the short-term location, and pursuing the Unified Development Code amendment to clear zoning questions.

The committee asked staff to continue searching for interim options and to provide updates on timeline, parking plans and any community outreach before construction starts.","Police and city staff told the Public Safety Committee they selected Cedar Grove Park at 6901 Saint Vincent as the preferred permanent site for a Southeast substation, urging fast-tracking of construction while using Kingston Road as a temporary location.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Shreveport reports dozens of squatting calls since April and more than a dozen convictions under new ordinance

SPD outlines unified plan to address cruising; summer interns to study behavior

Shreveport Police: 54 of 58 new vehicles are in service; four await parts

Shreveport police firing range nearly complete; department says $2.2 million came from 2021 bond

Shreveport recommends Cedar Grove Park for permanent Southeast police substation