SHREVEPORT, La. — On a warm Friday at Riverview Park, city officials, law enforcement and neighborhood advocates opened a new chapter in local violence prevention with the rollout of the “Hoop Don’t Shoot — Because I Love My Neighborhood” campaign.
From courts to community
The kickoff, organized by the City of Shreveport Fair Share Initiative, framed the basketball-themed program as more than sports. Organizers said the campaign aims to pair recreational activities with mentorship, neighborhood pride and stepped-up opportunities for young people — all with the goal of reducing conflict and strengthening ties between residents and public safety agencies.
Representatives from the Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Fire Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and other community partners attended the event. Local sponsors and collaborators recognized at the launch included Red River Bank, Bossman’s Barber College and the Shreveport Parks and Recreation Department, signaling a mix of public, nonprofit and private support.
“Well, you know, it's like a family reunion. You know, we're all living under one big roof couch report, and we all got to get along and know each other and be friends with each other and look out and watch each other back.”
The comment, offered by Fair Share Director Leon Wheeler during the event, illustrated the campaign’s neighborhood-first message: crime prevention through connection, not just enforcement.
What organizers say it will do
- Mentorship: Connect youth with adult role models and organized activities.
- Neighborhood pride: Use shared public spaces to foster ownership and mutual watchfulness.
- Police-community relations: Create informal settings where officers and residents meet outside emergency situations.
Officials emphasized that the project will continue beyond the opening day, with planned activities intended to create safe spaces and increase opportunities for positive engagement citywide. While the campaign takes a localized approach — neighborhood courts, outreach and events — it connects to wider efforts in Louisiana that prioritize community-based strategies over purely punitive measures.
| Stakeholder | Role at kickoff |
|---|---|
| City of Shreveport Fair Share Initiative | Host and organizer |
| Shreveport Police Department | Public safety partner |
| Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office | Public safety partner |
| Red River Bank, Bossman’s Barber College, Parks & Recreation | Sponsors and community partners |
Shreveport residents have repeatedly told local leaders that safe, well-used parks and structured youth programs help lower tensions and reduce opportunities for violence. The new campaign tests that premise where neighborhoods meet — on basketball courts, in playgrounds and at community gatherings — aiming to replace confrontation with mentorship and civic investment.
As the Fair Share Initiative rolls out events and programming over the coming weeks and months, success will be measured not only by attendance but by sustained relationships and measurable reductions in neighborhood incidents. For Shreveport, the project is another example of local actors seeking community-driven solutions to public-safety challenges that have stretched resources across the state.
