Why are people fleeing Shreveport oer SBC (Baton Rouge: crime, lawyers)

[imaterry78259]

Why are so many people fleeing Shreveport. I did many years ago for lack of opportunity. What is wrong with the city now?

[imaterry78259]

This thread is for people to express ideas of how Shreveport can reach its full potential.

[jsprout73]

You can take this response with a grain of salt. But I have lived in Shreveport 26 of my 34 yrs. I did not leave myself until I was 33 for a business opportunity in Baton Rouge. The biz opportunity fizzled, and I returned in hopes of a fresh start in Shreveport. I've been back two weeks, and have found out crime is rampant as usual. I think the numbers are somewhere in the 20's or 30's(don't quote me on that) as far as murders go. I know nothing about the new mayor, but he's got his hands full. I noticed there is also a new police chief, already in scandal in a possible sexual harassment suit. I actually live outside the city limits, and am having a hard time deciding on a decent neighborhood within the city limits. I am giving the city a chance because it is my home, but it is on probation for me. If I can't convince myself it's worth coming back, I'll be outta here soon myself, again. I am hoping the new movie biz in town, and the growth in Bossier will offset what I see as the same you mention-lack of opportunity(and crime too high as far as I'm concerned). Maybe it's too early, so once again, take this with a grain of salt

[imaterry78259]

I hope Shreveport does not become another Youngstown, Ohio

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by jsprout73

You can take this response with a grain of salt. But I have lived in Shreveport 26 of my 34 yrs. I did not leave myself until I was 33 for a business opportunity in Baton Rouge. The biz opportunity fizzled, and I returned in hopes of a fresh start in Shreveport. I've been back two weeks, and have found out crime is rampant as usual. I think the numbers are somewhere in the 20's or 30's(don't quote me on that) as far as murders go. I know nothing about the new mayor, but he's got his hands full. I noticed there is also a new police chief, already in scandal in a possible sexual harassment suit. I actually live outside the city limits, and am having a hard time deciding on a decent neighborhood within the city limits. I am giving the city a chance because it is my home, but it is on probation for me. If I can't convince myself it's worth coming back, I'll be outta here soon myself, again. I am hoping the new movie biz in town, and the growth in Bossier will offset what I see as the same you mention-lack of opportunity(and crime too high as far as I'm concerned). Maybe it's too early, so once again, take this with a grain of salt

When Baton Rouge's population was closer to that of Shreveport, its murder rate was much higher. It still is higher actually. Little Rock, whose population is about 20,000 less than Shreveport, also has a considerably higher murder rate.

The problem isn't Shreveport's alone, but so many people make it out to be.

[imaterry78259]

Why is Shreveport population stuck in the 1970's? I would have thought it would be a least 300 K by now without BC

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by imaterry78259

Why is Shreveport population stuck in the 1970's? I would have thought it would be a least 300 K by now without BC

Yes, I've always wondered about that. Caddo/Bossier didn't grow a lot compared to BR in the 1970s. And in the 1980s/1990s, the population barely budged. Was it true (this is an article I read) that a lot of local companies left, and regional branch offices moved in ?

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Yes, I've always wondered about that. Caddo/Bossier didn't grow a lot compared to BR in the 1970s. And in the 1980s/1990s, the population barely budged. Was it true (this is an article I read) that a lot of local companies left, and regional branch offices moved in ?

The Oil Bust put a major hurt on the Shreveport area. A lot of independents closed up, and the majors with a local presence moved most operations to Houston. A lot of accountants, lawyers, and engineers lost their jobs or were transferred to Houston.

[imaterry78259]

Ok-that is still not an excuse because Houston & Dallas went through a major Oil Bust but that did not stop them from diversing their economy.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by imaterry78259

Ok-that is still not an excuse because Houston & Dallas went through a major Oil Bust but that did not stop them from diversing their economy.

Houston went through the bust, but positioned itself to become the energy capitol of the world.

Dallas had other things to fall on like aviation and technology.

The casinos have helped pick up some of the slack in Shreveport, but the area has never recaptured all the white-collar jobs that were lost.