Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: July 09, 2007

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

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police urge caution when walking downtown

  
It's a simple process that takes place thousands of times a day -- pedestrians walking through downtown to get from one place to another.  
  
However, mix in a lot of traffic with that process and walking downtown can become hazardous. 
  
That's why the police are asking pedestrians to use a little more caution when crossing the streets. It only takes one wrong step for an accident to occur. 
  
Recently, a man was struck and killed at the intersection of North Market Street and Texas Avenue. He reportedly stepped in front of a vehicle that had just gotten a green light. The impact from the car didn't kill him, but his head injury from hitting the pavement did. 
  
In October 2005, a casino patron was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Clyde Fant to get to a parked tour bus. The driver was located and arrested, but that doesn't do anything to bring back a life that was lost. 
  
According to the downtown unit, pedestrians should be extremely cautious when walking from parking garages on Clyde Fant to get to the casinos, and on Market Street when crossing the street from the Shreveport Convention Center parking garage to the Shreveport Convention Center. At both of these locations, there are covered crosswalks provided for the public. But many people still choose to walk on the street instead. 
  
There is no jaywalking law for pedestrians. Walkers may cross anywhere on the street they would like. However, it is very wise to use crosswalks at the intersections, which have lights that let them know when it is safe to cross. 
  
A pedestrian always has the right-of-way, but they should be extra cautious to watch for fast-moving cars that might not see them right away.

Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

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