Troubleshooter: Hit and Run Accidents On the Rise in Shreveport

There were more than 200 hit and run accidents in the city of Shreveport last month and more than 1000 this year alone. It`s a crime that seems to be on the rise. However, the number of traffic officers has been cut drastically over the past 20 years; causing some to wonder why. When it comes to hit and runs, Sgt. Tom Oster, Shreveport Police Dept, Crash Investigations Unit, says part of the problem is that many drivers have something to hide. "People leave the scene of an accident for a dozen different reasons at least," Oster says," either they have no insurance, no license or a warrant for their arrest just to name a few." With few clues to follow, tracking down hit and run drivers is a massive task. For example, out of the 238 hit and run accidents in May of this year only 52 of those cases were solved. However, the Shreveport Police Department says the decrease in motorcycle, radar and DWI officers has not negatively impacted traffic enforcement. "I don`t think we`ve lost anything as far as the enforcement by simply reducing the number of personnel assigned to radar and motocycles," Glenn Schoch, assistant chief, Shreveport Police Dept., said. Schoch says more patrol officers are now radar certified and giving out more tickets. He says it`s a matter of efficiency. "The taxpayer doesn`t need to pay that burden [for additional officers] if the officers already out there could be multitasking," Schoch said. If hit and runs continue to increase, one thing`s for sure, Shreveport`s responsible drivers will eventually have to pay the price. In the event you are involved in a hit and run accident, Police say you should never try to chase the driver. Instead, gather as many details as possible, a description of the car, the driver and the license plate. Those details could prove crucial to solving your case. Reported by Alexis Wiley, awiley@ktalnews.tv