Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: April 17, 2007

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Panhandling becomes a problem downtown

Police officers who patrol the downtown Shreveport area are reporting an increase in homeless people panhandling others downtown.

A city ordinance makes panhandling illegal, and citizens are not allowed to ask for money or anything of value from others, downtown or otherwise.

If citizens are approached by someone who asks for money, they have the right to refuse and may call and report the solicitor to police.

If citizens want to help the homeless, it is recommended that they give to a social service agency. That way their money will go farther than just helping one person. 

Anyone convicted of panhandling is subject to a $500 fine or six months in jail.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews