New $2.1M firing range for police officers now open in Shreveport
(The Center Square) — The Shreveport Police Department announced the opening of the new state of the art $2.1 million firing range for the Shreveport Police Academy.
“This updated facility will serve as a vital training ground for both current officers and future recruits, ensuring they are well-prepared and equipped to serve our community with professionalism and precision,” said Shreveport Police Department Cpl. Chris Bordelon.
Funding for the newly updated facility came from the 2021 bond proposal and the exact amount reported was $2,144,000. This is the same bond that is currently building the new police substations throughout Shreveport to increase overall police presence as the city continues its efforts to decrease crime.
Before opening, the department did a test run on May 19 at the new facility, according to Police Chief Wayne Smith. At the time, the firing range was about 99% complete and only waiting on a bulletproof piece of glass to go on the control booth stationed by the shooting lanes where the instructor is placed.
The previous firing range was outdated, with reports from Smith that lead was contaminating people who used it. Overall, major updates have not been made to the facility since around 1980.
“I went through there in 1980, and nothing had changed since 1980. The metal we’ve had welded several times, and the ventilation system was not adequate. I’m really surprised that the state hadn’t shut us down earlier than we did,” said Smith previously.
The department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to bring the community together to celebrate what Bordelon called a significant milestone in the department’s growth.
