Violent Crime Numbers Dropping in Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, LA - Over the past year, we have heard great concerns about crime in the city of Shreveport. Leaders have been grasping for ways to curb the violence. But is crime as bad as many people claim?

The data from the police department shows we are actually seeing progress. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith brought a report to the City Council to let them know things are getting better.

Chief Smith told the panel calls to police for shootings in February are significantly down. He says during February of last year, there were more than 90 shootings. In February of this year, there have been 59 shootings which is a 36% decline. He says this shows things "are beginning to trend in a more positive direction."

The monthly homicide numbers are down from 21 in February of last year to 16 in 2024. This is a 23% decline from the numbers in 2023.

One of the regular calls Shreveport police respond to is shots fired. During February of this year, there have been 719 calls for shots fired. That's down about 50 from a year ago, but down dramatically from 2021 and 2022.

Chief Smith says these calls for shots fired are down by 6%.  Smith says he and his officers are doing everything possible to continue to bring down the crime numbers. He says beefed up patrols will be targeting areas where mass gatherings happen in our community.  Smith says special operation teams are working on making sure these events that typically happen on Sunday afternoons are safe and free of violence.