Caddo Parish eyes $100,000 Ring doorbell surveillance camera distribution to deter crime
In an effort to deter violent crime, Caddo Parish commissioners introduced a plan at their Tuesday work session that would give out potentially $100,000 worth of Ring doorbell surveillance cameras to citizens.
The program would require participating residents to register their devices with the Shreveport Crime Center and give law enforcement access to the footage, according to the ordinance approved for the initiative. The first year would be a pilot program.
“The data and information will help us decide if this is a program we want to carry on after the first year,” said commissioner Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Parish would pay for the Ring doorbell and one year of service for each citizen.
Johnson sponsored the bill along with commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, who said the program is inspired by one that has found success in Chicago.
Gage-Watts added that the program is for citizens in "hot spot areas that are plagued by gun violence."
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If commissioners approve the ordinance at their Thursday regular meeting, they would have to approve it once again at their Feb. 3 meeting before the ordinance is enacted.
Additionally, the commissioners voted to move forward with a mural program that would see community-centric poetry placed prominently in each Caddo district.
The program would see artist Poetic X paint on a mural an original poem inspired by the history and culture of each district in a place important to that district.
X would complete the project with assistance from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
SRAC Executive Director Pam Atchinson said X would write the poem then an artist would paint the murals on vinyl, which would protect the building from damage and allow the art to be removed after five years. They would like to finish the project in two years.
The Commission named Poetic X the poet laureate of Caddo Parish last year and tasked him with coming up with projects for the community.
The ordinance says Caddo will allocate the mural project $96,000 over three years.
The poetry mural would also require approval on Thursday and on Feb. 3.
In other business, the Commission on whether to institute a wheelchair ramp and roof repair program for "seniors, veterans and disabled residents."
According to the initiative's ordinance, $56,000 would be appropriated for the program in 2022.
Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts, and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Caddo Parish eyes $100,000 Ring doorbell surveillance camera distribution
