(The Center Square) – Caddo Parish officials are seeking traffic safety improvements outside a Head Start facility after Shreveport police issued 34 speeding tickets in the area in a single day.
Commissioner Ken Epperson raised the issue Thursday during the Caddo Parish Commission’s Public Safety Committee meeting, saying speeding has become a concern outside the Caddo Community Action Agency headquarters on St. Vincent Avenue. The committee met Thursday.
The agency operates Head Start programs serving young children and lists its headquarters at 4055 St. Vincent Ave. Epperson serves as vice chairman of the agency’s board of directors.
“We’ve been having an issue with speeding in front of that facility,” Epperson told commissioners.
Epperson said the agency contacted the Shreveport Police Department, which responded with traffic enforcement.
“They issued 34 speeding tickets within one day within that particular area,” Epperson said.
Epperson said additional measures are needed because families and young children regularly cross near the facility. He asked the parish to work with the city of Shreveport to install a crosswalk sign and additional caution signage.
“It’s just an accident waiting to happen,” Epperson said.
Epperson said photos are being taken as children arrive and leave the facility to document traffic conditions. He suggested the parish’s Public Works Department coordinate with city officials on improvements to the crossing.
Public Safety Committee Chairman Ron Cothran said parish officials would contact Public Works and work with the city.
“We need no one to get hurt nor killed because of speeding,” Cothran said.
