Tax May Fund Lafayette Downtown Patrols - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The search for money to pay for enhanced police patrols in downtown Lafayette has sparked talk about a new tax for the area.
 
City-Parish Councilman Brandon Shelvin, who represents downtown, tells The Advocate he is exploring a possible property tax or other type of assessment on all businesses there to fund a new police precinct.
 
The tax could replace a controversial special security fee that had been charged only to downtown bars to help fund weekend police patrols along Jefferson Street.
 
Shelvin also said a new downtown precinct could offer better security in general for downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods.
 
The police department spends about $500,000 a year on overtime for a special police detail that works the weekend bar crowds on Jefferson Street.