(The Center Square) — Police substation progress continues in Shreveport as the department works to increase its presence, according to Chief Wayne Smith.
Several new substations are under construction, and one is already active. Smith included updates for each substation and current temporary locations in his monthly crime report.
The department’s west substation, located on Monkhouse Drive, opened in early August. The north substation on North Market Street is under construction. Once it’s completed, a temporary north substation located on North Market Street will close.
Construction began last week on the Cedar Grove Park substation. When it’s finished, the temporary east substation on Shreveport Barksdale will close.
Construction of a temporary south substation on Kinston Road is nearing completion. According to Smith, moving to the site was delayed by a week due to difficulties transporting equipment.
Increasing police presence has been discussed among the department and city officials since the beginning of the year. The goal is to have all the substations completed by the first quarter of 2026, according to the department. Citizens can use the substations as safe exchange zones to handle online transactions or child custody transfers, for example.
In total, the substations will cost the city $6 million, funded from the 2021 and 2024 General Obligation Bonds.
