Open container rules are returning to the Red River District in downtown Shreveport. But the move is not without concern. The Shreveport City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday [January 9] to reinstate the open container policy inside the entertainment district. Open container rules had been in place from 2003 to 2008.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith recalled to the council several factors which ultimately led to the end of the open container policy. Those factors included an increase in trouble in and around the Red River District, while at the same time business dropped substantially. But the council left all the security questions and policies to be sorted out later.
During the discussion, Chief Smith urged caution in moving forward. “There needs to be a lot of regulations put in place to make it happen. But naturally, because I do understand the over exposure to people, to circumstances, to substances that could cloud people's judgment just cause us problems. And I would not fully support anything where there's alcohol involved. But, you know, in many conditions, then, you know, we do what we need to do.”
Shreveport City Council member Grayson Boucher says he’s for the idea in principle. But he called for a few weeks to work out the guidelines with police and became the lone dissenting vote when the rest of the council approved the measure.
Fellow councilman Alan Jackson explained why there is such an urgency to get the open container law amended now for the Red River District. “Chief, we’re going to need your help on this. From an economic standpoint, it’s probably as bad as it can be downtown. I commend councilman [Gary] Brooks for initiating this legislation. We need a spark down there. We need an economic spark downtown, and we believe this could be that spark. However, to councilman Boucher’s point, we want to make sure that we’re not opening up the city to more crime.”
Jackson emphasized that the Red River District right now only has one restaurant and one bar open, and that by changing the open container law it may help attract more businesses to set up shop in that part of downtown Shreveport.
Chief Smith also told the council his officers need to stay mobile in the downtown area, while using cameras connected to the city of Shreveport Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). Bar owners are expected to control access in and out of their businesses. The council also extended the hours of alcohol sales in the district another two hours until 4:00 a.m.
