SHREVEPORT, La. — The Shreveport Police Department is operating under a restrictive budget that city leaders say leaves little room for new spending, even as the department grapples with critical shortages in staffing, vehicles and specialized equipment.
City officials attributed the financial strain to inconsistent sales tax revenue, which has been impacted by recent weather disruptions. While leadership maintains the department has been funded as much as possible, police officials argue the current support is not enough to maintain basic operations.
Police Chief Wayne Smith highlighted the dire state of the department’s fleet at a recent meeting, noting that many vehicles are reaching the end of their operational life…