While city officials have turned over the reins to federal authorities in the investigation of Tuesday’s deadly police shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling, business and civic leaders are closely monitoring the situation and how it might impact the city’s reputation.
Visit Baton Rouge President and CEO Paul Arrigo met this afternoon with staffers to map out a strategic plan to deal with any potential fallout from the incident. So far, he is confident the shooting—which has made headlines nationwide and dominated the cable news circuit all day—will not have a “major, long-term impact on visitation to the city.”
“But we are monitoring what is being done and said … because we know this has had an effect on other cities,” he says. “While we haven’t felt any negativity yet, we are going to see what we need to do to be prepared.”
Earlier today, state and local officials announced the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, assisted by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District and the FBI, will conduct the investigation into the fatal shooting, which has sparked calls for protests and the resignation of BRPD Chief Carl Dabadie from the NAACP and other community activists.
In other cities that have experienced controversial police shootings over the past two years, protests have led to looting, riots and violence. At a morning press conference, Dabadie and other city and religious leaders pleaded for orderly, peaceful demonstrations.
Baton Rouge Area Chamber President and CEO Adam Knapp says his office is closely monitoring developments, though he says he has not heard specific concerns from any businesses in the area.
“We’re just watching and paying attention to the dynamics of what is going on,” he says. “Largely, folks are just watching. Everyone is just keeping the leaders of the city and the state in their thoughts.”
—Stephanie Riegel
