SHREVEPORT, La. — Shreveport is spending over a million dollars on new police cruisers — at a time when crime, patrol shortages, and even reality TV cameras are all putting the department in the spotlight.
The City Council approved the funding measure this week, tapping the general fund and public safety dollars to cover the cost. Police officials say more than 250 marked patrol cars are needed to adequately cover the city, but the fleet is stretched thin.
“These 30 vehicles are intended to address an immediate need for marked patrol units,” said SPD PIO Christopher Bordelon. “For a department of our size, more than 250 units are required to effectively patrol the city, and we are working diligently to reach that number.”…