Shreveport councilwoman Tabatha Taylor is known for her long, sad monologues on crime in her district.
She all but brings tears to the eyes of those in the chambers as she wails on the societal problems that lead to crime, "senseless" killings, and the need for more efforts to stop crime and catch criminals.
She recently urged the city to install the few remaining crime cameras in an expedited fashion in high crime areas. She did not propose additional funding to purchase or install the cameras.
Now behind the scenes she is leading an effort to hire a council "liaison" to help her answer calls from constituents, be a go between her and callers, help with a newsletter, etc. While she served as the lackie for James Green the last two years evidently this job has now been turned over to councilman Alan Jackson who is leading the charge to add a higher paid staff person.
Taylor was an interim appointment to the council when Willie Bradford resigned. She had two years on the job before she filed for a full four-year term last July. Seemingly she knew the job demands when she decided to seek the office again.
Taylor loves to be on crime scenes, and many times there are questions on whether her immediate presence is a hindrance to law enforcement. And while Adrian Perkins was mayor, Taylor, and her cohort Green basked in many press conferences of the mayor. So now there only podium for publicity is council meetings and crime prayer session.
The new proposal for a liaison person raises many questions, especially since a deputy council clerk is moving to the city attorney office.
The first is what duties did the departing council clerk person perform in that office and who will now handle those duties?
The second is what duties of this person will be picked up by the new hire at a higher salary?
Thirdly, if the departing council clerk was not really needed, why hire another person in that office at a higher salary?
Lastly, why not spend the money for the new hire's salary on more crime cameras?
If Taylor, Green, Jackson and newbies Gary Brooks and Ursula Bowman are really concerned about crime, why just give it lip service?
Spending money on a hew hire with different duties from the departing employee evidences the priorities of these five council members who supported the resolution to hire the liaison.
So, what happened to "crime prevention" as being the top priority for these five council members?
This proposal for a liaison being made in the first 30 days of office of these council members sends a loud, and sad, message for the remainder of their four-year terms.