Mayor's off-the-books spending investigation overdue; Hammons says council will consider next steps
Plus — Bossier City Council: Water and sewer utility relocations approved for JDB; honoring outgoing council members.
Bossier City weather — Today: Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20%. Juneteenth: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
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Mayor's off-the-books spending investigation overdue; Hammons says council will consider next steps
It seems Bossier City's government is malfunctioning. Two city council members are concerned about "off the books" spending by the administration, yet an investigation into the matter by the Mayor, due on May 20, "hasn't been completed."
And Mayor Tommy Chandler doesn't seem concerned with any inquiry.
Meanwhile, there's still the question of why the Mayor and the city attorney are telling different stories.
'Handing out free driveways'
It all began in late March, when District 1 city councilmember Brian Hammons, blasted the Chandler administration, and specifically City Attorney Charles Jacobs, for "handing out free driveways" on Benton Road.
Jacobs said the City was repaving a parking lot and driveway due to damage incurred by a business owner during the construction of the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway.
"We did personal inspections out there concerning the condition of some of those parking lots that were claimed to be damaged by the pile driving for the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway. We did see some damage," Jacobs said. "Richard and myself talked to the Mayor about it in order to basically avoid litigation. We agreed after the signing of certain releases that we would go ahead and overlay or repair those parking lots in order to avoid litigation."
Hammons and Smith attempted to put a lid on unauthorized spending by the administration
In April, following Hammons’ inquiry about why two Benton Road businesses were receiving concrete work paid for by the City, Chris Smith and Hammons sponsored an ordinance to monitor unauthorized spending by the Chandler administration.
The ordinance would require the council to receive prior notice of any expenditure issued by the Risk Management Office or the City Attorney’s Department over $75,000 related to “settlements or damage repairs.”
The mayor asked the council to reject or delay its consideration while his office conducted an investigation that would be completed by May 20.
The Mayor says it was 'an access issue'
Now, the investigation is one month past due, and Hammons said that the matter will come before the new city council, which will be sworn in on July 1.
"The mayor's office is still conducting an internal investigation on that, that we were supposed to have answers back on May the 20th," Hammons told BossierNow. "We still don't have them, so with the new council coming in, we will discuss it and see how we want to take it from there."
However, it doesn't appear that Mayor Chandler is investigating the matter at all. Last week, he told KEEL News' Mike & McCarty that the issue was simply an "access issue."
"What it really was, was access," the Mayor said. "That one business did not have access to Benton Road. You understand? Because when they blocked him off, there was a difference in height of his lot and the lot next door. So they had to even it out and make it where they could travel from that one business to the next without any difficulty. Access is what it was."
Access? Damage? Which is it? Is this project the reason Ben Rauschenbach is no longer the city engineer? Why was the Mayor asked to investigate off-the-books spending of his own administration? Why aren't Smith and Hammons holding the administration to account?
And how much did taxpayers pay for this "off the books" project?
Bossier City Council: Water and sewer utility relocations approved for JDB; honoring outgoing council members
The City Council passed a $120,500 appropriation on Tuesday to relocate water and sewer utilities, ensuring that construction on the Jimmie Davis Bridge reconstruction process will not be delayed.
However, once again, the funding of a project is being questioned.
"This is a state project, and I do not feel like that we should be paying for anything related. We pay enough for state projects that we don't get reimbursed on," councilmember Brian Hammons said before voting.
'Documents have been found' to justify the cost
City CAO Amanda Nottingham stated that "documents have been found" that will enable the city to be reimbursed for the expenditure.
"We have found documents that we think will satisfy DOTD, so I would ask — this is kind of our backup plan, so we don't delay the project. But we are going to DOTD with those so that we can get this covered within the scope of that project," she told Hammons and the council.
"No, I don't want to hold the project up at all," Hammons said. "But it just gets to a point that, you know, we continue, continue, continue doing stuff and paying stuff for the state, on state highways, that at some point it's got to come to an end."
Then, Nottingham noted another citizens' concern.
"One thing that was brought to my attention. There was a news article that indicated there may be some cost to residents of South Bossier for this project," she said. "So, just to make sure everyone knows — there is no cost to any residents."
Outgoing council members honored
Outgoing council members Jeffery Darby, Jeff Free, David Montgomery Jr., and Don Williams were presented with a proclamation and plaques of appreciation for their combined 96 years of service.
Mayor Tommy Chandler also presented each with a "Key to the City."
"There were difficult decisions, conflicts, and criticisms," Chandler said. "But no matter how big the problem, you guys faced them head-on and led the way to solutions. Not always an easy road, but you stayed the course, and Bossier City is better because of each of you. Your love for our city is obvious, and your service undeniable. As the mayor, and more importantly, as a citizen of the great city of Bossier City, thank you."
Bossier City Police incidents and arrests report: June 14 - 16, 2025
Hour by hour. Day and night. This is BossierNow’s reporting of Bossier City Police Department incidents and arrests. This report covers the actions that occurred from June 14 to 16, 2025. Identities of subjects involved in misdemeanor arrests or traffic citations are withheld.
All persons named or shown are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
06/14/2025 00:52:00 Arrest 100 Blk Benton Spur Rd Bossier City, La 1) Simple Battery (Misdemeanor), and 2) D/P - Language (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 58
06/14/2025 00:53:00 Arrest 100 Blk Benton Spur Bossier D/P - Drunkenness (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 56
06/14/2025 01:04:00 Incident 100 Blk Benton Spur Bossier, La Simple Battery (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
06/14/2025 01:12:00 Arrest 700 Blk Hope St Shreveport, La Theft (Felony) Kyle Thomas Douglas, Black Or African American, Male, Age 39
06/14/2025 01:16:00 Arrest 700 Blk Hope St Shreveport, La Theft (Felony) Kyle Thomas Douglas, Black Or African American, Male, Age 39
06/14/2025 02:15:00 Arrest 2200 Blk Shed Rd/Mary Ann St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), and 3) Headlamps On Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Motordriven Cycle (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 34
06/14/2025 02:49:00 Incident 2200 Blk Shed Rd/Mary Ann St Bossier City, La Possession Schedule I (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
06/14/2025 03:05:00 Citation 2210 E Texas St Bossier City General Speed Law Black Or African American, Female, Age 30
06/14/2025 03:05:00 Incident 400 Blk E Texas St/Old Benton Rd Bossier City, La Possession Schedule I (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
06/14/2025 03:14:00 Arrest 2200 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), and 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 29
06/14/2025 03:14:00 Arrest 2200 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), and 3) General Speed Law (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 30
06/14/2025 04:00:00 Arrest 400 Blk E Texas St/Old Benton Rd Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule II (Felony), and 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor) Darnell Harris, Black Or African American, Male, Age 40
06/14/2025 05:00:00 Arrest 700 Blk Live Casino Blvd Bossier City, La D/P - Fighting (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 23
06/14/2025 05:02:00 Arrest 700 Blk Live Casino Blvd Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest-BPSO (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 44
06/14/2025 05:08:00 Arrest 700 Blk Live Casino Blvd Bossier City, La D/P - Fighting (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 44
06/14/2025 05:10:00 Arrest 700 Blk Live Casino Blvd Bossier City, La Approaching A Peace Officer (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 24
06/14/2025 07:54:00 Incident 2300 Blk Julia St Bossier City, La Theft Of A Motor Vehicle (Active)
06/14/2025 08:28:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La Failure To Appear-Two Headlights Required (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 37
06/14/2025 09:48:00 Incident 3000 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Theft From Building (Active)
06/14/2025 11:15:00 Incident 400 Blk Edgemont Dr Bossier City, La Identity Theft (Active)
06/14/2025 11:22:00 Incident 300 Blk Bridgepoint Cir Bossier City, La Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling (Active)
06/14/2025 11:27:00 Arrest 3300 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Aggravated Assault With A Firearm (Felony) Mason Alexander Norman, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 23
06/15/2025 00:09:00 Incident 1200 Blk Dudley Ln Bossier City, La Simple Burglary - From Motor Vehicle (Active)
06/15/2025 00:40:00 Incident 200 Blk John Wesley Blvd Bossier City, La Theft (Exceptionally Cleared)
06/15/2025 00:47:00 Arrest 600 Blk Joannes St Bossier City, La 1) Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor), 2) Fugitive Arrest - BPSO (Misdemeanor), 3) No License Plate (Misdemeanor), and 4) Failure To Turn On Lights (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 59
06/15/2025 01:18:00 Arrest 2500 Blk Montgomery Ln Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest-SPD (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 30
06/15/2025 01:28:00 Arrest 1800 Blk Old Minden Rd Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest/BPSO (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 36
06/15/2025 01:31:00 Citation 299 E Texas St/Traffic St Bossier City 1) No License Plate, and 2) No License Plate Light/Improper Display Of License Plate Black Or African American, Male, Age 26
06/15/2025 01:40:00 Incident 1800 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Domestic Abuse Battery - Strangulation - Aggravated (Active)
06/15/2025 01:52:00 Arrest 300 Blk Riverside Dr Bossier City, La 1) Probation Violation- Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor), 2) Probation Violation-Disturbing The Peace (Misdemeanor), 3) Probation Violation-Hit & Run (Misdemeanor), and 4) Probation Violation (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 45
06/15/2025 02:23:00 Arrest 200 Blk E Texas St/Traffic St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), 2) Illegal Use Of Firearm With A Controlled Substance (Felony), 3) Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor), 4) No License Plate (Misdemeanor), and 5) No License Plate Light/Improper Display Of License Plate (Misdemeanor) Morris Quntrell Davis, Black Or African American, Male, Age 26
06/15/2025 03:30:00 Arrest 2700 Blk Foster St/St Charles St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), and 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 21
06/15/2025 03:31:00 Incident 2700 Blk Foster St/St Charles St Bossier City, La Possession Schedule I (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
06/16/2025 00:04:00 Arrest 3400 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest/BPSO (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 48
06/16/2025 01:40:00 Incident 2200 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
06/16/2025 03:42:00 Citation 2300 Julia St/River St Bossier City Disregards Stop Sign White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 28
06/16/2025 03:50:00 Citation 1999 Airline Dr/E Texas St Bossier City 1) Tail Lamps, and 2) No Driver's License Black Or African American, Male, Age 30
06/16/2025 04:08:00 Arrest 1900 Blk Airline Dr/E Texas St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), 3) Tail Lamps (Misdemeanor), and 4) No Driver's License (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 30
06/16/2025 04:31:00 Arrest 2300 Blk Julia St Bossier City, La 1) Failure To Appear- Theft (Misdemeanor), and 2) Failure To Appear-Theft (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 70
06/16/2025 08:07:00 Incident 4000 Blk Industrial Dr Bossier City, La Simple Burglary - From Motor Vehicle (Active)
06/16/2025 08:22:00 Incident 1000 Blk St Charles St Bossier City, La Theft Of A Motor Vehicle (Active)
06/16/2025 10:28:00 Incident 500 Blk Crossroads Blvd Bossier City, La Simple Criminal Damage To Property (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
06/16/2025 10:46:00 Incident 5000 Blk Hazel Jones Rd Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
06/16/2025 11:14:00 Incident 4200 Blk Viking Dr Bossier City, La Cruelty To Animals - Simple (Active)
06/16/2025 11:26:00 Incident 1900 Blk Traffic St Bossier City, La Criminal Trespass (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
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