There was misinformation on the Mike and McCarty KEEL radio show last Friday on the open container ordinance for the Red River District (RRD).
This misunderstanding was reinforced this morning (Monday) in an interview with SPD Capt. Janice Dailey. She acknowledged that a citizen can bring their own booze into the district, pour their own drinks, and walk around consuming alcohol.
This statement is TOTALLY incorrect.
Citizens can NOT take their own booze into the RRD.
Citizens can LEGALLY walk in the RRD with open containers of alcohol IF the drink(s) are purchased from an establishment in the RRD.
To say that an SPD Captain MISSTATED an important city ordinance is unfortunate is an understatement.
Additionally, the RRD is the area under the Texas Street Bridge that is bounded by Commerce Street and the Clyde Fant Parkway. It does NOT extend up to Spring Street and the establishments on Texas Street near the Spring Street intersection.
How many listeners on this very popular morning show now think they can take their own booze into the RRD is unknown. The incorrect broadcast will NOT be a legal defense if cited in the district.
Do the SPD officers in the downtown district understand what the open container ordinance allows and does NOT allow? Hopefully this question will be answered at the special Shreveport City Council meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. that will address recent violence in Shreveport.