Residents Question Use of Police Officers at Shreveport Pools

SHREVEPORT, LA - Shreveport city pools are open for the summer, and city leaders are doing everything possible to make sure children are safe while swimming. City police officers are being assigned to work at the pools in an effort to keep them safe.

This is not new, though. Shreveport SPAR officials say police have been providing security at the pools for 15 years. But some in the department say this is a tough task in light of the manpower shortage in the department right now.

KEEL News received this note from one SPD leader about staffing the pools this year:

What Hours Will the Officers Work?

The SPAR pools are open six days a week for about 6 hours each day. Deputy Chief Antoine White says it does make it a bit challenging this year with the staffing shortages, but he says it is not a major time commitment. He is reaching out to other law enforcement agencies to help out at the pools as needed.

What Pools Are Open This Summer?

Airport Park

David Raines

Querbes

Southern Hills

Bill Cockrell

City leaders want to keep the added security at the pools to show that the safety of the children is a top priority. But pulling officers from a regular beat to move to the pools has been a tough task. SPD leaders are asking for volunteers before assigning officers to the pools.