Standing Room Only: Downtown Townhall Brings Community Together for Meaningful Dialogue and Solutions
In a show of strong civic engagement and community investment, Shreveport’s Downtown Townhall Meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd this morning. Residents, property owners, business owners, and local stakeholders gathered for a robust conversation hosted by the Shreveport Police Department, the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.
DDA Executive Director Cedric B. Glover welcomed the full room, expressing gratitude for the attendees’ commitment to being part of the solution. “Downtown is more than a business district — it’s a neighborhood. What you wouldn’t accept in your own neighborhood shouldn’t happen here either,” Glover stated.
Progress on Public Safety
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith opened with an in-depth presentation of crime data and call-for-service trends specific to Downtown. The numbers tell a promising story: crime and violence are trending downward. Chief Smith attributed this progress to the combined efforts of law enforcement agencies, innovative tools, and strategic partnerships — including the Real Time Crime Center, which continues to expand its capabilities.
He also introduced Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn to speak on the Anglin/Myers Public Safety Initiative. Named in memory of Landry Anglin, Devin Myers, and others whose lives were lost to senseless violence, the initiative aims to honor their legacies through action.
Sheriff Whitehorn shared more on the initiative’s goals and urgent needs:
- Crime & Safety Cameras: Connecting more locations to the Real Time Crime Center can greatly enhance surveillance and deterrence.
- License Plate Readers (LPRs): Increasing coverage, especially along the interstate, is critical for tracking vehicles involved in crimes and locating missing persons.
- AI Gun Detection Software: Transforming existing security cameras into real-time threat detection tools can dramatically shorten law enforcement response times in high-risk situations.
Downtown as a Neighborhood
Returning to the podium, Director Glover provided updates on key DDA initiatives, including efforts to reestablish a Downtown Retail Merchants Association and ongoing work to bring people, the community, and opportunities to downtown and the initiatives to help change the public perception of Downtown safety.
He emphasized the importance of treating Downtown as a residential and working neighborhood, not just a destination.
“Revitalizing Downtown takes more than infrastructure — it takes people united by a shared vision. If we want Downtown to thrive, we must treat it with the same care and attention we give our own neighborhoods, because Downtown is a neighborhood,” said Director Glover. “Meetings like today’s are essential. By showing up, listening to real concerns, and working together, we begin to build the trust and momentum needed for lasting change. This Townhall is just one step in an ongoing, intentional, and transparent dialogue that will shape the future of our district.”
Outreach and Human Services
Christa Hawkins, Executive Director of HOPE Connections, spoke next on coordinated outreach to those experiencing homelessness. Her team has implemented a new system using cards with QR codes that allow citizens to report individuals who may need assistance. This system triggers a direct response from HOPE’s outreach team.
One striking insight she shared came from a targeted sweep in August, which revealed that of 37 panhandlers identified in the Shreveport area, only 2 were experiencing homelessness. “Panhandling is not only illegal but can also be connected to trafficking” Hawkins warned. She encouraged attendees to use official reporting tools and offered educational materials for further awareness.
Open Forum and Future Plans
The meeting concluded with a public Q&A session. Topics ranged from downtown parking to police presence, economic development, and continued support for unhoused individuals. The discussion was lively and constructive, sparking new ideas and surfacing concerns directly from the people who live and work downtown every day.
“This kind of open dialogue is exactly what we hoped for,” said Director Glover in closing. “To make real change, we need to listen, collaborate, and keep the conversation going.”
The DDA plans to continue hosting these meetings on a quarterly basis, with the next townhall expected this fall.
