Columns & Opinions

In the wake of escalating youth crime rates that have gripped the city of Shreveport, a group of concerned and dedicated residents have taken the reins to change the narrative for their community. The newly formed Shreveport Citizens United (SCU) is on a mission to tackle the twin challenges of youth crime and neighborhood blight, with a strategic focus on uplifting at-risk communities in the city.

We live in the so-called “information age.” We intake news and data like we breathe air: everywhere, all the time. And we are subconsciously trained to react to each new (to us, at least) headline: an emotion, an opinion or provocation to action. (Marketers understand this all too well.)

Several weeks ago, I opined about whether general obligation bond proposals work for minority communities. The city is currently holding meetings to gather information/data on the needs and cost of said improvements for the 2023 GO Bond Proposal, but already neighborhood associations in minority communities are feeling left out and unrepresented.

An imposing structure has emerged on East Texas Street, nestled between the Boardwalk and Benton Road in Bossier City. This monument, a focal point of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway, has already stirred controversy due to its exorbitant cost and the lack of public input. Now, the public deserves to know who else is being enshrined at the new monument in Downtown Bossier.

Northwest Louisiana sales taxes remain strong based on September 2023 collections. This has been the case since Jan. 1. Following is a sales tax recap of a few major local governmental bodies.

As a lifelong resident of Caddo Parish and a resident and business owner of District 8, I want our city and parish to thrive. I care about this community. I grew up here, and I’ve raised my children to love Caddo Parish also!

The most fundamental purpose of government is public safety. Investigating and prosecuting past crimes, combined with patrolling and deterring current would be law breakers, are both essential elements of public safety. But a third, and just as essential aspect of public safety, is preventing future criminal behavior.

For those curious about why people downtown are asking for a sound ordinance, there are some things you should know about what's happening. Why are people so upset now and not before? Is it targeting specific types of people? Here's one person's perspective: Many of the businesses and tenants downtown and in this part of downtown definitely knew they were moving into a nightlife area or have been down here for years co-existing with clubs. For me, I've lived downtown over 10 years, worked down here 16 years, all within blocks of the clubs and four years living on the block with the clubs. There have always been loud nights here, crowds of people and the regular thump of clubs. That's not the issue.