It’s almost an unfunded mandate, like those legislative requirements coming out of Baton Rouge or Washington to do more work with no money to pay for the added requirements.
I am referring to the proposed ordinance regulating "vapor product retailers and shops" that can be adopted by the Shreveport City Council no sooner than Sept. 9. Unfortunately, at least one local media outlet has reported that this ordinance is now in effect--wrong!
This ordinance requires licensing of the shops and the persons selling vape products much like the ABO cards and liquor licenses. It is expected that the current online site for ABO cards and liquor licenses, pushed through by Economic Director Bill Sabo, will be cloned for these permits and licenses.
The ordinance places administration and enforcement under the Shreveport Police Department (SPD). Thus, post certified SPD personnel will be tasked with additional duties. As all readers should know, SPD is understaffed to the tune of 150 plus officers.
Currently the ABO and alcohol licensing is handled by three SPD officers who work in the SPD office and do compliance checks. Uniformed officers are needed for the compliance checks, which can result in arrests.
While considering passage of this ordinance, the Council should make two inquiries. The first being whether or not some of the in-office administrative duties performed by these three could be accomplished by a non-uniformed officer. The second is whether or not additional officers will be needed for compliance checks for the vape stores.