SHELTER NUMBERS
As of noon, the number of evacuees at the CenturyTel Center stood at 745, leaving 335 spaces available. The shelter has put a hotline in place to allow persons to check if their loved ones who may be among those staying at the CenturyTel Center. The hotline is staffed at the CenturyTel Center with Red Cross personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week who have access to the latest roster containing the names of shelter residents. The hotline numbers are (318) 752-6750 or (318) 752-6751. A shelter at Southern University remains on standby and will not open until CenturyTel reaches 85% capacity, which is about 850 people. The numbers have decreased at the Hirsch and LSUS to 600 and 750 respectively due to efforts in assisting evacuees with linking up with relatives and help from the faith based community in getting evacuees transitioned to alternative housing. On an entertaining note: the Shriner’s will hold a free circus for the Hirsch evacuees at 4:30 p.m. Friday in a tent outside the coliseum.

FEMA Recovery Center
The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center for hurricane Katrina victims at 2820 Summer Grove Drive in Shreveport at last word still does not have computers or telephones up and running. Services for evacuees remain very limited. The Office of Emergency Preparedness will notify media when the center is fully functional.

TENT CITY
Efforts to establish a tent city at Camp Minden are ongoing. The federal and state governments will make a decision on this type of facility. OEP will keep the media posted.

RUMORS ABOUT ESCALATING CRIME
Rumors about a sharp increase in crime due to the influx of evacuees continue to surface among local residents. Law enforcement agencies in Caddo and Bossier Parishes continue to report that this is not the case. Incidents involving evacuees have been very limited and minor.

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE
Volunteers are still need to help the Salvation Army at their location at the old Sam’s Club in the 8800 block of Jewella. Volunteer need only to show up there between 8:30-5:00 any day. Until they get the volunteers they need, their distribution process will be slowed.

They also still need the loan of tables, preferably the large sturdy 8-feet long ones. Any churches, organizations, etc, that have such tables are URGED to bring them to the old Sam’s Club.

SMALL SHELTER REGISTRATION
In an effort to get a handle on the number of non-Red Cross shelters in the area, the Office of Emergency Preparedness is urging all churches, organizations and residents in Northwest Louisiana that are providing shelter to hurricane evacuees to register on its website –www.caddobossierohsep.org. To register, click on the link at the top of the home page labeled “Shelter Registration Here.”