(The Center Square) – A suggestion by Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux to shift some police resources away from daily patrol and response activities to a dedicated transit force sparked sharp opposition from city leadership.
In response to a recent federal task force recommendation, the city is trying to strengthen security for transit employees and daily riders.
“We heard clearly that safety was a significant problem,” Arceneaux said. “What we’re doing now is not working.”
Arceneaux’s suggested approach comes against the backdrop of an understaffed police force. With a force of approximately 430 officers, city documents show the department is short by about 100.
Starting pay for Shreveport officers is among the lowest for law enforcement agencies in the area.
On Tuesday, the city’s Public Safety Committee – City Council members, Arceneaux, and the police and fire chiefs – weighed the idea of a 12-officer transit unit, drawn from Shreveport’s force, providing 24-hour coverage for SporTran buses, terminal and transfer hubs.
SporTran is the area’s free public bus service, covering 1,700 Shreveport and 314 Bossier bus stops. Daily ridership is around 14,000 people, according to transit reports.
SporTran is funded by federal and local dollars. According to a Federal Transit Administration report, the organization’s 2024 operating budget was $17.4 million. Shreveport pitched in about $9.2 million, while the FTA provided $6.9 million.
Whether the city can afford to subsidize the free service was not part of the discussion.
The central issue was whether Shreveport can ask more from its police force.
“We are extremely short,” said Grayson Boucher, a City Council member who chairs the safety committee. “I am very concerned when we talk about taking … officers out of your rotation.”
The Federal Transit Administration notified the city that its response time to bus-related criminal incidents is not adequate, but that is only one of several challenges facing police this year.
The city is tackling a growing problem of large, unapproved gatherings drawing hundreds of people loitering and drinking alcohol in and around businesses. They’re also dealing with an uptick in illegal street racing and increasing vehicle accident fatalities.
In the span of nine days this month, the city recorded three homicides, bringing the year’s total to seven.
“They’re all over the city drag racing and burning rubber,” said Councilwoman Ursula Bowman.
Still, the solution for SporTran, according to Arceneaux, is best handled through the Police Department.
“We believe that what we're looking at can be done with both on duty and off duty police, and that can be done within the revenues and expenses that are already allocated for its purpose,” he said.
Councilmember Jim Taliaferro, meanwhile, doesn’t want to involve city or parish law enforcement, preferring a standalone transit police force.
And Tabatha Taylor, the City Council’s chairwoman, worried about providing officers with enough time off.
“We already know that we have a shortage … that's a real concern for me,” Taylor said. "I do realize that the sheriff had a proposal, and according to your email, you said that it was too expensive."
The Caddo Parish’s Sheriff’s Office submitted a proposal that would establish a 12-officer transit unit that includes administrative support personnel and necessary equipment. Its annual cost is estimated at just over $1 million, according to Dinero Washington, president and CEO of Shreveport Transit Management.
Arceneaux said he plans to step back from his suggestion to reevaluate options with Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith.
“Somewhere down the line we have to have some real talk,” Councilman James Green said to Smith. “A person can only take so much. I feel for your officers.”
