“Last year we were blessed to be able to say that we saw a 2 % reduction in violent crime in all of 2007, and if the trends continue in these last thirty-plus days we’re headed somewhere in the direction of right now I believe about 16 % .

But not only have we seen a reduction of close to 16% in the overall violent crime rate in the City, we’ve also seen an untold number of weeded lots cleaned, of homes boarded up, of dilapidated structures demolished; all of those end up being connecting and contributing factors as to how it is that we go about establishing a level of order within this City that we want to see, and seeing that order maintained.

It’s directly connected to why it is that Councilwoman Bowman and I spent in the early part of this term, we spent more than a few Sundays out on the corner of Greenwood and Jewella, dealing with a issue that right now we don’t experience anymore in this City because of the work that the men and women throughout the City of Shreveport have done.

We used to have the problem of young people who gathered on the parking lots of our fast food establishments, but we don’t have those challenges at this particular point in time - because of the work of this police department and citizens all across this City.

We’ve got one gas station on Hearne Avenue that we still struggle with, but we’re even getting it wrestled down and we’re making progress there as well so Chief, I want you to know and I want Jim (Holt), I want you to know and I want all of the men and women who work with you and for you throughout the entire City of Shreveport, even the department of recreation because that’s a big part of the equation as well.

The fact that we have structured activities for our young people all throughout the entirety of the year and even during weeks like this when we have breaks when children could generally be out running the streets, they (SPAR) now have structured activities for them to do because of what’s happening right now within this City and because of the leadership that’s provided by this administration, this council, and the men and women who work for the City of Shreveport.”

“So it’s a collective effort and Chief, you are right on point and all of the folks who stand behind you, we appreciate and recognize the hard work that you’ve done and all of you are doing, and I want all of you to know that as mayor I truly, truly, appreciate it and to this council I appreciate everything that you have done to make this happen, so thank you much Chief.”