SPD presents crime statistics for 3rd quarter of 2022

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith held a conference Wednesday, Oct. 19 to provide an update on crime statistics.

These statistics cover the third quarter of 2022:

HOMICIDES

• 7 reported homicides this quarter
• 68 reported homicides this time last year
• 43% reduction in homicides for this quarter

SHOTS FIRED

• 2,093 reported
• 3,096 reported this time last year
• 42% reduction for this quarter

SHOOTINGS

• 193 reported
• 366 reported this time last year
• 40% reduction for this quarter

OVERALL CRIME

• 7 cases reported
• 22 cases reported this time last year
• 68% reduction for this quarter

RAPES

• Reports were up last reporting crime period
• Reports down 22%

ROBBERIES

• Reports down 14%

AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS

• Reports down 20%

BURGLARIES

• Reports down 8%

THEFTS

• Reports down 16%

AUTO THEFTS

• Reports down 2%

VIOLENT CRIME

• Reports down 22%

PROPERTY CRIME

• Reports down 13%

“Just because the numbers show one thing compared to other years does not mean things are better. You have to answer the question, also assuming the numbers are legitimately down, what’s the reason for those numbers being down?” said Smith.

Legal expert J. Antonio Florence said the number of homicides in Shreveport is not the main problem.

“Talking about numbers being up or down either way isn’t solving our problem,” he said. “Our biggest problem in Shreveport is that there are too many guns in the wrong hands being used indiscreetly. Show me some of these guns being taken off the streets. That will make a lot of people a lot more comfortable,” he said.

Two days ago, a double murder-suicide tragically claimed the lives of two children. Just last week, four shootings happened within an hour.

“We’ve got to start with some initiatives. I don’t think the answer is to lock people up. I think the crime is an outcome of what’s going on in their community,” said Francine Brown, activist and director at Seniors First.

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