Shreveport Mayor Vows Action After Downtown Brawl: See Video

Downtown Shreveport took an unwanted spotlight after an early Saturday altercation at Spring and Texas. On Monday, Mayor Tom Arceneaux condemned the violence and outlined next steps to restore confidence in the Red River District, noting that a pre-planned SPD safety operation was already in place when the fight broke out.

What Happened in Downtown Shreveport and How Police Responded

City leaders say at least twenty SPD officers and Louisiana State Police were assigned downtown over the weekend. When the incident began, three patrol units arrived within about three and a half minutes, with two more close behind. “This kind of behavior is absolutely unacceptable in our city,” the mayor said, adding that witnesses are urged to contact SPD Investigations at 318-673-6955.

Shreveport Policy Changes on the Table

Arceneaux says many late-night issues “tend to occur after two o’clock,” and he is open to rolling back downtown closing times from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., a change that would require City Council action. He also noted a practical challenge in enforcing the youth curfew when determining who is 16 versus 19 in large crowds.

Downtown Shreveport Sidewalks, Loitering, and a “Privatized” District

Police can clear people from the street but not from public sidewalks if no laws are being broken, the mayor said. He floated the idea of “privatizing” the entertainment district to allow tools like metal detectors, while emphasizing that Friday’s trouble occurred on public property, not inside specific venues.

READ MORE: Police Investigating Claiborne Street Murder

National Guard in Shreveport, Shreveport Police Staffing, and the Holidays Ahead

Asked about calls for National Guard support, Arceneaux said the city needs the “right help,” questioning whether Guard patrols would have covered that time of night. He disputed a “stretched thin” characterization of SPD, pointing to a prior model that assigned regular downtown details and could be re-instituted as holiday crowds grow. He also confirmed staff were preparing an official statement, which the city later released.

The Mayor's Message to Residents and Businesses

“We will not let a small number of bad actors threaten the progress we’re making downtown,” Arceneaux said. Expect stepped-up presence in festival areas and a renewed push to keep late-night hot spots orderly as the city weighs earlier closing hours and other targeted measures.

Mayor Arceneaux Condemns Violent Incident in Downtown Shreveport

Mayor Arceneaux released a statement on Monday concerning Friday night's violent brawl downtown:

Mayor Tom Arceneaux strongly condemns the violent altercation that occurred early Saturday morning at the intersection of Spring and Texas Streets. 

“This kind of behavior is absolutely unacceptable in our city,” Mayor Arceneaux said. A safety plan designed by the Shreveport Police Department was already in effect over the weekend. 

“Our officers acted quickly, decisively, and in accordance with a well-coordinated safety plan,” said Mayor Arceneaux.

The plan included at least twenty (20) SPD officers assigned to the area (more than double the usual number), along with Louisiana State Police troopers on site to assist in maintaining safety throughout the district.  

When the incident occurred, SPD responded within three and a half minutes, with three patrol units arriving almost immediately and two additional units following shortly thereafter. Mayor Arceneaux emphasized the city’s continued collaboration with SPD, downtown businesses, and community partners to ensure safety in the Red River District. 

There was a video of this incident circulating on the internet. The video showed that there were several witnesses; we ask anyone who was present with any information that could assist in the police investigation to call SPD’s Investigation’s Office at 318-673-6955.

“We will not let a small number of bad actors threaten the progress we’re making downtown,” the Mayor added. “Our residents and visitors deserve to enjoy Shreveport without fear, and we are taking firm, coordinated action to make sure that remains the case.”