Shreveport police clear homeless camp near Walmart

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Recent developments throughout the city of Shreveport have shined a spotlight on homelessness, from encampments to squatters in abandoned properties. The Shreveport Police Department (SPD) says it has taken action to clear some of those camps.

Photos from the SPD Facebook page show a homeless camp which was recently cleared near the Walmart at Youree Drive and Bert Kouns. The post says officers worked with multiple organizations to focus on cleanup and connecting people with vital resources.

The coalition for ending homelessness, HOPE Connections, has an outreach team which keeps track of those who are unhoused to help provide services. They worry those who have been moved from the camps will simply move to other camps or to abandoned properties.

“One of the things that we’re going to do is go to abandoned houses and put up no trespassing signs and we’re going to have signs made that say no trespassing but if you’re living unhoused, please call our street outreach teams and list the numbers,” said Christa Pazzaglia, Executive Director of HOPE Connections.  “So, we’re going to offer help to the person, direct help to the person who is living unhoused in an effort for them not to stay at the abandoned house. There are better options.”

If you see someone who is unhoused, you can call HOPE Connections so they can send the outreach team to help. The number is 318-670-4591.