While other municipalities in the Shreveport/Bossier region have instituted a crackdown on businesses and individuals who are ignoring Gov. John Bel Edwards’ executive order to shut down, Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington is taking a different approach.
BSO public information officer Lt. Bill Davis says that Whittington’s focus will still be educating businesses in Bossier about Gov. Edwards’ executive order.
“His focus is still educating businesses,” David said. “We certainly have the option of citing a business, but we will use the first step by making a visit to ensure the business is aware of the order in hopes they will comply. Sheriff {Whittington] is coordinating with Bossier City Police Chief [Shane McWilliams] to work on this.”
Davis said they are working on some other means of educating the public about the risks, and the executive order.
“We are also in the process of developing some PSAs with key leadership,” he said.
At a news conference on Monday, Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond said that Shreveport violators will be fined and possibly jailed. Police enforcement in Shreveport went into effect immediately. Violators will be given a misdemeanor summons.
DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson said in a separate announcement on Monday that there were some in the community who have “egregiously ignored and violated” the governor’s order.
