Shreveport Officials Push Back Against Newsom’s Crime Claims

Shreveport, LA, August 23, 2025

News Summary

In a recent interview, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Shreveport, Louisiana, suggesting it has a significantly higher murder rate than San Francisco. Shreveport’s officials, including City Councilman Jim Taliaferro and Mayor Tom Arceneaux, refuted these claims, emphasizing a 40% drop in homicides this year. They argue that Newsom is using outdated information and highlighted improvements in public safety efforts. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also weighed in, suggesting Newsom should focus on California issues instead.

Shreveport, Louisiana is at the center of a controversy following remarks made by California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding crime rates in the city. During a recent interview, Newsom criticized former President Donald Trump’s approach to law enforcement and cited Shreveport as an example of increased crime chaos, claiming the city has “six times plus the per capita murder rate” compared to San Francisco.

In response, Shreveport City Councilman Jim Taliaferro condemned Newsom’s statements as a distortion of the current reality, asserting that the Governor is “cherry picking outdated data.” Taliaferro pointed out that Shreveport has actually experienced a significant drop in homicides, reporting a 40% decrease this year compared to last year. This decline contradicts Newsom’s assertion, portraying a more positive trend in the city’s crime statistics.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux also rejected Newsom’s characterization of the city and emphasized that Shreveport is no longer listed among the most dangerous cities in America. He attributed the reduction in crime to ongoing investments in law enforcement and technological advancements aimed at enhancing public safety.

Additionally, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry criticized Newsom’s comments, suggesting that the California Governor should focus on addressing issues within his own state instead of commenting on Shreveport’s crime statistics. Landry reiterated the decrease in homicide rates in Shreveport, highlighting a more accurate picture of the city’s current status.

The exchange brought attention to the political dynamics between Democrats and Republicans concerning law enforcement and crime policy. Newsom included a broader critique of Republican-led states in his remarks, claiming that eight of the ten states with the highest murder rates are governed by Republicans. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who was mentioned in Newsom’s criticisms, and Landry both asserted that Newsom should refrain from commenting on the crime issues of other states given the challenges California faces under his administration.

Statistical data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indicates that the national homicide rates have been on a downward trend since 2022. This added context highlights that the phenomenon of rising crime rates is not confined to one area and is affected by broader national trends.

Despite the criticisms, Taliaferro noted that while Shreveport is still a work in progress, the city is “improving every day” and does not require external condemnation to move forward. Mayor Arceneaux pointed to the collaborative efforts being made within the city to enhance public safety and community well-being, underscoring the importance of local leadership in addressing crime.

Following this controversy, USA Today reported that they are seeking comments from Democratic U.S. Representative Cleo Fields, who represents most of Shreveport, but no formal response has been released as of yet. This ongoing debate about crime and policing continues to resonate within the political discourse of the United States.

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Additional Resources

• Shreveport Times: Newsom Claims Shreveport Faces Crime
• KSLA: Newsom Calls Out Shreveport
• KTAL: Newsom on Shreveport Homicide Rate
• Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Newsom and Local Leaders
• Wikipedia: Crime in the United States

Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER

The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.