(The Center Square) — Shreveport Police Chief Chief Wayne Smith presented the city’s year to date crime numbers to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee this week.
Chief Wayne Smith said on Tuesday homicides are down 33% from this time last year, shrinking from 69 to 46. Shootings and total shots fired are at the lowest point for the the year to date since 2021.
Other felony crimes like rapes, armed robberies, burglaries and vehicle thefts are all lower than the 2023 year to date numbers as well.
The feel-good stories in the meeting continued when the council listened to several community members speak on behalf of Pastor Lovelle Butler’s character before dedicating the 700 block of Turner Lane in his honor.
Once real business began, the council proceeded to adopt almost every resolution they could on the agenda. This includes endorsing the Las Palmas Group Lofts, LLC and 624 Downtown Lofts, LLC to participate in the benefits of the Louisiana Restoration Tax Abatement program.
A resolution in support of Louisiana’s Motion Picture Production Program and in support of the Louisiana Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit were moved. The Charter Review Committee was established in another adopted resolution.
An ordinance issuing the sale of some general obligation bonds were postponed after some discussion in their administrative conference meeting Monday.
The council said they do not want to keep delaying a bond that will allow them to continue important construction on the North Market Street police substation along with other projects, however they still would like a bit more direction and questions answered in regards to it’s property deed.
They expect to have those questions answered by the time they vote in November.
There was also discussion in the administrative meeting on an ordinance to change the definitions for certain types of sober living homes.
The ordinance makes a distinction between sober living homes and group homes by stating they are a step further in the rehab process and there’s no actual treatment happening in them. In fact, the family pays the rent and utilities just like any other family.
The council decided to postpone that ordinance until they understand its consequences better.
