(The Center Square) — Police Chief Wayne Smith reported that more than 2,000 cameras are now linked to the Real Time Crime Center throughout the city to monitor crime.
Shreveport’s Real Time Crime Center went online in 2021 and is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Since then, the department has added 2,106 cameras and city officials promise more to come.
“I can assure you, there are 2,106 camera feeds that are coming into the Real Time Crime Center. Soon to be another 18 added to that all within the city limits of Shreveport,” said Smith during the Shreveport City Council’s meeting last week.
Of the 2,106 cameras linked to the center, 1,858 are residentially integrated cameras within city limits. The department has had trouble in the past finding locations for cameras and integrating with residential ones became a game changer for monitoring the city.
“We can attach to somebody else’s building. We don’t have to worry about getting permission from a poll,” said Smith.
Businesses have been very receptive to having cameras placed according to Smith’s report.
Back in 2024, the city had around 1,600 cameras being monitored through the center. The current data shows a significant jump forward in crime monitoring. The center is currently open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Smith took office in 2022 and among his first initiatives was to decrease crime within his first 45 to 60 days. As of the last police report, homicides have dropped by 50% compared to last year with 16 so far for this year.
If Shreveport residents have a camera they want connected, they can have this done free of charge. Other monitoring initiatives include Anglin-Myers — a public safety initiative allowing residents and community members to purchase cameras to be placed in the city for crime monitoring.
