City Officials Discuss Measures to Curb Parking Lot Loitering
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana Considers New Loitering Laws
The city of Shreveport, Louisiana has become concerned over a growing trend of loitering in parking lots, which has led to multiple violent incidents over the years. To address this issue, city officials have convened a public safety committee meeting to discuss possible preventative measures. Among the ideas being considered, the introduction of locking gates and mandatory parking lot registration with the police department have emerged as primary solutions.
Years of Problems
Over the years, Shreveport has seen multiple instances of people crowding in parking lots of closed businesses. In many cases, situations have escalated into violence, giving rise to the term “parking lot parties.” For instance, just last month, a shooting erupted at a closed CVS parking lot on Hollywood and Hearne Avenue, leaving four people injured. Tragically, parking lot violence is not a new phenomenon in the city. In 2021, a mother of nine children, Jalecia Jennings, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Union Masonic Temple on Hearne Avenue.
Possible Solutions
In response to this longstanding issue, city officials, including City Councilman Gary Brooks, are considering the introduction of locking gates to prevent access to empty parking lots. “What about requiring a gate that locks so people don’t have access to the empty parking lot?” asked City Councilman Brooks during the meeting. “That would be awesome for us,” responded Police Chief Wayne Smith.
In addition to the gating proposal, Police Chief Smith suggested that businesses register their properties with the police department. This measure would allow police to exercise authority over private lots. If people are found on registered lots without clear business purposes after closing hours, they could be cited or arrested for trespassing.
Local Response
The proposed measures have received mixed responses from local residents. Alvin Oliver, whose cousin was shot during the aforementioned CVS parking lot shooting, called for more stringent steps. “Make them put up a barrier and if they don’t want to spend the money to put up a barrier, have them put up cameras and link their cameras to the real-time crime center,” said Oliver. He also proposed that businesses that did not want to install barriers or cameras should pay for additional police patrol instead.
In addition to preventative measures, Oliver suggested designating a place for people to socialize. He believes that creating such spaces could help alleviate the issue of loitering in inappropriate areas, reducing the risk of violence.
Looking to the Future
As of now, no firm decisions have been made regarding the proposed measures. However, with the rising concerns over parking lot loitering, city officials and community members alike are hopeful that effective solutions will be implemented soon.
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
