Shreveport Police Pepper Spray Crowds in Downtown Saturday Night

SHREVEPORT, LA - More troubles in downtown Shreveport as hundreds of people gathered outside a local club to listen to music from the rooftop and to party on the sidewalks.

Shreveport police were called in to break up several fights and they showed up in force to try to disperse the crowds. This happened Saturday night, but it has been an ongoing problem. One of the big issues is the use of rooftop areas to broadcast loud music and entertainment.

Crowds gather because they can hear that music and enjoy the entertainment without going into the club. There is some concern that some folks in the crowds on Texas Street are underage. Police also find evidence left behind of these crowds drinking while partying on the sidewalks.

Other business owners in downtown are concerned that the noise and the unruly crowds are keeping other folks from visiting other spots in the heart of the city.
Police used pepper spray on many of those folks just hanging out on the sidewalks. Saturday night the crowd kept growing and things started to get out of control when the police rolled out in force.

City leaders are working to revamp the noise ordinance to make sure noise from one business does not impact other businesses. During a Shreveport City Council meeting from earlier this year, the owner of the Haze on Texas nightclub Dr. Chelette Holden went before the council to talk about the noise ordinance and her concerns that the current language was difficult to interpret.

You can hear her concerns and see what has been happening on Texas Street for much of this summer.
Note GRAPHIC CONTENT in this video. Click this link to see that video.

City leaders are currently working on a new noise ordinance that will be easier for police to enforce. But Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor has asked if current clubs will be "grandfathered in" once this new ordinance goes into effect.