Shreveport Police Prepare for Mardi Gras with Extra Security

SHREVEPORT, LA

Shreveport Mardi Gras ramps up the next two weeks with the two largest parades of the North Louisiana season with the Krewe of Centaur and Krewe of Barkus and Meow parades this weekend, and Krewe of Gemini and Krewe of Highland parades next weekend.

And with those large parades, come large crowds, both from the Arklatex, as well as guests from out of town. So the city of Shreveport not only wants to put our best foot forward, but also wants to make sure all of the revelers have a good time, and are safe and able to do so.

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Security Planning Takes Months to Prepare

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith told KEEL News on Thursday that the city has been planning for months not only on logistics for the parades, but also on security, making sure everyone along the parade routes can enjoy themselves in safety.

We began to plan for the next Mardi Gras when one is over. This has been a long time in the planning.  We have sought the help of many others to come in with us to make this a safe event.

When it comes to security for this years parades, Chief Smith said they are implementing all elements of technology available, including drones, camera-towers, officers on horse-back, on foot, as well as motorcycles and ATV's, to keep the public safe.

We'll have our eyes in the air, we'll have horses, motorcycles, bicycles, people on foot... all of us, the SPD, Caddo Parish Sheriff, the City Marshal, have pretty much purchased ATV's now, we'll be out in full force.

The Shreveport Police Department plans to have several Command Centers all along the parade route for the Krewe of Centaur Parade this weekend, and Krewe of Gemini next weekend.

We will have one at Stoner Avenue and Clyde Fant, another one at Shreveport Barksdale Highway at Clyde Fant, there'll be another one by Super One, then there'll be another one at East Kings Highway at Preston Avenue. Chief Smith

The Shreveport Police Department will also deploy their large observation tower.

Absolutely, our "SPD Watch" will be deployed.  That is such an amazing piece of equipment.  One or two officers up 30 feet in the air has an advantage of a hundred almost on the ground that can't see any more than 8 or 10 feet.  Chief Smtih

Chief Smith said they are also bringing in additional manpower from other agencies from across the area to help bolster security for the parades.

The Louisiana Department of Probation & Parole, officers are coming in from all across Louisiana to aid us. Louisiana State Police troopers are coming in from all over the state to assist us. The Bossier Sheriff's Department, the Bossier City Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department, the Caddo Marshal's office... we're deploying every resource that we can find.  Chief Smith

Chief Smith invites everyone to "come on out, have a great time, eat a hot dog, drink a coke, and have a good time, but please be respectful of others."