(The Center Square) — Reported homicides in Shreveport have decreased for the fourth consecutive year, the city’s police department said Monday, but this year has seen a continued rise in reported sex crimes.
There have been 34 homicides this year, compared to 46 at this time last year. Reported homicides have been on the decline since 2021, when the number reached 75. The statistics were given in the department’s monthly crime update to the Shreveport City Council.
They include some high-profile cases. A Sept. 20 mass shooting left two people dead and six injured, and an Oct. 13 house fire killed two children. Suspects in both cases have been arrested.
Another area of crime showing a significant decrease is shots-fired calls. The department has reported 1,726 cases so far this year, compared to 3,927 in 2021. There were 2,147 reported last year for the same time period.
Shootings have decreased by over 50% since 2021, with 188 reported year-to-date, compared to 403 five years ago. In 2024, the department reported 235 shootings, which it defines as someone who has been injured by gunfire.
Reported sex crimes are at 438 year-to-date compared to 403 in the same time period last year. Police Chief Wayne Smith said he believes the increase is the result of the department simplifying reporting methods and boosting investigative efforts.
Other crimes, including vehicle theft, armed robbery, burglary, vehicle burglary and carjackings, have decreased since last year, the department said.
Police shared numbers usually not reported to the public on a monthly basis, including vandalism, assault and battery, domestic violence, stabbings and vehicle crashes.
They cited 1,543 reported cases of vandalism and 2,341 reports of assault and battery. Reports of domestic violence reached 2,356, an increase from last year. Reported stabbings are also on the rise, at 64 so far this year. Vehicle crashes have risen significantly, at 8,133 this year compared to 7,863 at this time last year.
