Shreveport crime rates ease but domestic violence calls remain high

(The Center Square) – Shreveport lawmakers and the city’s chief law enforcement officer expressed concern over the high volume of domestic violence calls, while acknowledging that an understaffed police force has limited the department’s ability to carry out prevention strategies.

“It’s a growing concern,” Chief Wayne Smith said Tuesday. “Last year about 20-plus percent of the city’s 42 homicides were coded domestic violence.”

Smith’s comments came during his regular presentation to the Shreveport City Council. He reported that year-to-date statistics for sex crimes, shootings, vehicle thefts, and burglaries were lower, while armed robberies have increased.

At this point last year, there were seven homicides compared with only two so far this year. On a per capita basis, Shreveport’s homicide rate of 23 murders per 100,000 people ranks sixth compared to Jackson, Baton Rouge, Little Rock, New Orleans, Birmingham, Memphis and Dallas.

In 2025, the department responded to nea...