Crime in some parts of ArkLaTex declining

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – On August 13, KSLA collected data from several law enforcement agencies at the ArkLaTex.

Data shows that crime is increasing in some areas, but decreasing in others. In northwest Louisiana, the numbers appear to be good. Shreveport police said there hasn't been a homicide in the city since July 26.

When homicides occur, the police say their work is not finished until the case is closed.

“We have a very high murder clearance rate here in Shreveport. Currently, our detectives' clearance rate is almost 80 percent, which is well above the state average,” said SPD Colonel Chris Bordelon.

There have been 38 murders in the city of Shreveport so far this year, compared to 55 in the same period last year.

According to police departments in Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas, crime is up. Police in Texarkana, Arkansas, reported that overall crime increased 15.9% last year. In Texarkana, Texas, police reported that serious crimes increased 20%.

However, in Miller County, Arkansas, officials told KSLA that crime was down 12.7%.

In Louisiana counties, officials with the Bossier Sheriff's Office say the violent crime index is stable at 0% and the property crime index is negative 10.2%. In Caddo, total crime is down 14% and violent crime is down 6% as well.

Shreveport police said they are still working to reduce the number even further.

“We have fantastic investigators, especially in our violent crimes unit, but also in all of our criminal divisions. They work all of their cases very thoroughly and make arrests when possible,” said Cpl. Bordelon. “Our patrol officers also really do an excellent job. Many of the arrests are due to our patrol officers taking the initiative and proactively preventing crimes before they actually happen.”

The SPD says it has confiscated about 3,000 illegal firearms in the three years that Police Chief Wayne Smith led the department.

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