Shreveport mayor & SPD chief speak on violent crime statistics, hopes for future

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins and SPD Chief Wayne Smith held a news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 27 to address violent crime.

“Public safety remains the number one priority for our administration,” said Perkins.

Officials say 2021 was the deadliest year in the city’s history when it comes to homicides. This year, they say homicides are down 43%, with a 60-day stretch of no homicides happening during the summer. They say 15% of overall crime is down, however, there have been 39 homicides so far this year.

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“Any loss of life is completely unacceptable to this administration, but losing a child is unimaginable. Still, they’ve been able to channel that grief into something positive by helping to make sure others don’t go through that they’ve experienced,” said Perkins.

Chief Smith announced the city has once again been awarded the Project Safe Neighborhood Grant. This grant is used to target crime and violence in neighborhoods and has been extended through 2024.

“Shreveport we are making a difference. There are brighter days ahead, we just have to keep on pushing toward the greater prize, not get distracted by the few mishaps that are going to happen along the way. I guarantee you, in days and weeks, and months to come, Shreveport shall prevail again as being one of the safest cities in America to live,” said Smith.

Smith also said the department has taken approximately 800 guns of the street this year.

While stats show an overall decrease in crime, there have been three reported roadway shootings this month, with the most recent on I-20 just days ago. Before that, there were two other shootings on W. 70th Street.

“Typically, what we’ve learned when investigating these is there was a target or a person being shot at, and some of these have actually been domestic in nature. I do want to put citizen’s minds at ease. There’s not a random person firing at cars traveling on the interstate here. Each one of these instances have had different circumstances and we are investigating the one that is still open,” said Cpl. Chris Bordelon.

Perkins said that while numbers are down, they will continue striving for the better.

“Yes, this is a bit celebratory but we’ve got to remember, even in those 39 homicides this year that’s still somebody’s son, daughter, family member. We’re going to remain aggressive.”

Also addressed was National Night Out coming up on Oct. 4. Smith said Shreveport is competing nationally this year to garner the greatest community support for the event. One of the qualifications calls for 10% of the city’s residents to agree to participate.

Smith said their goal is to double last year’s numbers and have 300 registered parties. They currently have 257 parties signed up and need 43 more. If you would like to register a party, call the Community-Oriented Policing Bureau at (318) 673-6950.

The founder and president of Moms on a Mission concluded the conference.

“Our goal is to bring change in our community and city,” said Martha Tyler.

She says the goal of the organization is to bring positivity to the community, give youth hope for the future, assists senior citizens and support mothers who have lost a child to gun violence. If you would like to get involved, call (318) 319-3124.

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