The Shreveport Police Department on Wednesday officially opened a new Area 2 substation on St. Vincent Drive, a park-based facility city leaders and police officials say will sharpen response times and expand neighborhood-focused work across the city.
A local hub for patrols and youth outreach
Officials described the new substation as more than a satellite office: it will be a neighborhood hub intended to bring officers closer to the communities they serve and to launch the department’s Police Athletic League activities from inside the park.
- Location: St. Vincent Drive, inside a city park
- Purpose: Improve response times and serve as a center for neighborhood policing
- Programs: Launch point for the Police Athletic League and site for community partnerships
During the opening ceremony, Scouting America members joined department leaders to mark the launch, underscoring a push toward partnerships with community groups and youth organizations.
"I cannot think of a better or more ideal location than here within this park,"
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith emphasized the substation’s park setting as well suited to mentoring young people and connecting with residents. He noted the site’s proximity to transit options, pointing out a nearby Sportran hub that provides free rides to the park.
Part of a broader expansion across the city
The St. Vincent Drive facility is the third new permanent substation the department has opened in about two years. With additions in place, the department now maintains substations intended to cover every quadrant of Shreveport.
| Substation | Location |
|---|---|
| Area 2 | St. Vincent Drive (park) |
| North | North Market Street |
| West | Monkhouse Drive |
| South (leased) | Kingston Road |
City and department leaders framed the expansion as part of a sustained effort to build a safer, stronger Shreveport by placing officers where people live, work and spend leisure time. The spread of substations — including a leased space on Kingston Road — is designed to position the department across all quadrants and to give residents more direct points of contact with police.
The St. Vincent Drive substation’s combination of patrol capacity and youth-focused programming reflects a broader trend in municipal policing toward community engagement alongside traditional enforcement. For residents near the park, the new presence aims to provide a quicker response to calls and a more visible, day-to-day relationship between officers and neighbors.
