Caddo Leaders to Debate Funding Police Equipment for Local Agencies
A big question is before Caddo Parish leaders in the next few weeks. Should they consider funding equipment for Shreveport police and other law enforcement agencies in the region?
This big debate started when Caddo Parish Commissioner John Paul Young proposed spending $2.8 million in parish funds to pay for 40 police cars for SPD. But his idea was rejected by his colleagues.
This plan did spark keen interest from Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and Police Chief Wayne Smith. The Mayor told KEEL News he would welcome the extra help from the parish. But he asked the chief to put together a list of critical equipment needs in his department. That list does include patrol cars, but it has several other items included.
One of the items Chief Smith wants is a Rook which is a specialized Armored Critical Incident Vehicle (ACIV) designed for law enforcement to operate in high-risk situations like hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, riot control, and it can even be used for disaster response.
The Rook costs about $700,000.
This plan also sent a message to communities across Caddo Parish and those towns began submitting requests for funding to buy equipment.
Here’s the latest list of requests
Blanchard $152,568.00 - two police cars and one side by side.
Mooringsport $66,000.00 - two used cars & equipment
Oil City $88,000 - one truck and one side by side.
Greenwood $25,000 – an outfitted traffic trailer.
Ida $55,000 - one police car and various equipment including ballistic vests and body cameras.
Hosston $54,000 - one used police car and a radar system.
Fire District 8 - $150,000.00 - one truck and one side by side.
Gilliam $4500.00 - uniforms, ballistic vests & community programs.
The total request from these communities is $595,068.
The Public Safety Committee is expected to meet Monday and these requests will be on the agenda for consideration.
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