Police Hope To Deter Crime At Local Park
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A local park once known as a popular site for illicit behavior has been given a facelift. The beach at Shreveport`s Hamel`s Park re-opened Friday, with a new cleaner look. Bulldozers created a beach, clearing the brush from the parking lot all the way down to the shore of the Red River. Police are hoping the open spaces will help deter criminal activity.
"We want to make sure we can observe what`s going on." said Assistant Chief Schach, Shreveport Police.
Numerous reports of lewd behavior in the brush near the sandbar forced officials to take action.
"I hope we have created an environment here with the help of SPAR, the council and the Mayor, where undesirables won`t want to come here." said Schach
After hearing about the clean-up, Chad Rhodes brought his daughter to the beach Saturday for a day of family fun.
"Definitely not something I`d want my child to see or even be around. That`s terrible," said Rhodes.
And he`s not alone. News of the clean up brought fishermen and families to the sandbar Saturday afternoon.
"I`m glad that it`s open now. And I know Shreveport Police were doing a fine job helping the situation. But this will help them a lot more," said Anthony Manstrullo.
Despite the recent changes, some park patrons still aren`t following all the rules. Saturday KTAL cameras caught some park visitors driving their vehicles on the sandbar. Still police say they will out in force all weekend making sure everyone obeys the law.
