Overview
- The Halloween-night melee at Spring and Texas streets drew a large crowd into the roadway and was widely shared on video from the busy downtown intersection.
- Officials say an enhanced weekend safety plan was already in effect, with at least 20 Shreveport officers plus state troopers deployed and a response time of about three to three-and-a-half minutes.
- Police Chief Wayne Smith called the violence intolerable, said arrests are forthcoming as investigators identify participants, and pledged continued increases in downtown security.
- State Rep. Steven Jackson formally asked Gov. Jeff Landry and LSP leadership for a specialized trooper presence on weekend evenings, alongside broader interagency coordination with local authorities.
- The City Council’s special session is set to address immediate steps such as curbing loitering and unpermitted gatherings to protect public safety and recent downtown investments.