Shreveport, LA Crime Rate

By Alan J. Golden

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Criminal Defense

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Last Modified on May 19, 2026

There are many things that can contribute to a city’s crime rate. Often, the higher a city’s crime rate, the harder it can be to attract tourists or newcomers. Shreveport, LA, has a considerably high crime rate, at least when compared to the national average. While lately, the city appears to be experiencing a steady decline in violent crime, the city still has a higher crime rate than some other major Louisiana cities. It’s important to understand the Shreveport, LA crime rate.

If you are arrested in Shreveport, it’s vital that you hire a Shreveport criminal defense attorney to represent your interests and provide you with sound criminal defense strategies. Louisiana’s criminal defense laws are fairly strict. Depending on the details of your case, you could be looking at considerable penalties that include fines and prison time.

Alan J. Golden Attorney at Law, has over 40 years of trial experience helping clients through situations just like yours. He also has experience defending those who have been wrongfully accused of crimes they did not commit. False allegations are serious, and it is important to seek a strong defense attorney to protect your future.

What Is the Crime Rate in Shreveport?

A criminal case in Shreveport will be heard in Shreveport City Court if it’s a misdemeanor or the First Judicial District Court if it’s a felony or a serious state crime. Most adult criminal cases are handled at the Caddo Parish Courthouse on Texas Street in downtown Shreveport.

According to recent data from the Shreveport Police Department, there were 5,350 arrests in the city in 2024 alone. Your case may not be as rare as you might think. Hire a criminal defense lawyer for help.

According to the most recent statistical data gathered by USAFacts, the violent crime rate in Shreveport as of 2024 is 520 per 100,000 people, and the property crime rate is 2,296 per 100,000 people. The four violent crimes in Shreveport that were tracked to reach this conclusion were murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, while the property crimes tracked were burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.

According to data gathered by CrimeGrade, crime costs the city of Shreveport roughly $133.3 million a year, which translates to $643 per resident and $1,584 per household. Essentially, all of this adds up to Shreveport having a high crime rate when compared to other Louisiana cities and the national average.

What Causes a High Crime Rate in Shreveport?

There are many different economic and social factors that can cause a city to have a high crime rate. It’s important to understand these trends, particularly how they might affect you or your family.

If you find yourself arrested for a crime, it’s important that you reach out to an experienced defense lawyer and start working on your strategy. Say nothing to the police and ask for a lawyer.

Here are some of the potential factors that might contribute to Shreveport’s crime rate:

• Economic decline. In most major cities, when there is economic decline, there is also a rise in crime. The same may be true for Shreveport. The loss of many recent industrial jobs and the closure of major companies in the area have fueled ongoing economic distress, which may lead some to crime.
• Repeat offenders. According to some data, the majority of criminal offenders in Shreveport had prior arrest records for violent offenses. The prison system may not be as rehabilitative as the courts hoped, leading to repeat offenders and ongoing social strife.
• Gang activity. Shreveport has its share of gang violence and illicit drug dealing, manufacturing, and distributing. Gang-controlled areas may be a significant factor in the violent crime rate throughout the city.
• Police shortage. For a while now, the Shreveport Police Department has been operating at a limited capacity due to an ongoing staff shortage. Fewer police means fewer people patrolling the city, leading to more crime.