After a presentation to the Shreveport city council's Public Safety Committee meeting yesterday (Tues.) by Shreveport Police Lieutenant Rivera, the committee unanimously agreed that the Shreveport Police Department should be equipped with 12 ballistic shields to be distributed equally to the three SPD substations along with two training shields and training instruction at an approximate cost of $130,000.
This committee was also advised that the standard soft body armor distributed to SPD officers would not stop high-caliber rifle rounds. The committee then agreed that SPD officers should be issued rifle-rated body armor. The approximate cost for this equipment is approximately $260, 000.
The full city council then passed a resolution urging the administration to purchase this equipment using the public safety budget item.
The only question asked afterwards by some council members was why they had not previously been informed of the pressing need for this equipment to provide for the safety of SPD officers.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.