Shreveport, Louisiana, August 19, 2025
News Summary
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent remarks about Shreveport’s crime rate have ignited a backlash from local officials. He claimed the city needed federal attention due to its crime issues, prompting U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to counter this narrative, defending Shreveport’s progress in reducing crime rates. Mayor Tom Arceneaux highlighted a significant decrease in homicides and improvements in law enforcement effectiveness. Local leaders assert that Shreveport has made strides in enhancing public safety and urge for acknowledgment of their efforts instead of external critiques.
Shreveport, Louisiana – California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent criticism of Shreveport and its crime rate has sparked a strong reaction from local leaders. During an interview, Newsom suggested that Shreveport exemplifies crime chaos that requires federal attention, directly referencing the city’s murder rate in comparison to San Francisco. His comments came as part of a broader critique of law enforcement under President Trump.
In response, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents a small portion of Shreveport, defended his hometown against Newsom’s “false narrative.” He urged the California governor to address the challenges in his own state rather than insulting Shreveport. Local officials emphasized the progress made in reducing crime, with Shreveport’s violent crime rate reportedly on the decline.
Shreveport’s Mayor Tom Arceneaux highlighted a significant 40% decrease in homicides in 2024, indicating ongoing improvements that he expects to continue into 2025. The Shreveport Police Department has also reported a 35% drop in homicides for the year to date. As a result of these ongoing changes, the city is no longer on lists of the ten most dangerous cities in America, a notable achievement given its previous reputation.
Johnson’s response to Newsom aligns with broader concerns about the impact of Democratic policies on crime rates, with the Speaker asserting that Louisiana needs to implement tougher state laws to curb crime. The population of Shreveport is under 250,000, significantly smaller than San Francisco’s population of nearly 1 million. Nevertheless, both cities cover similar geographical areas, which complicates comparisons of crime rates and policing effectiveness.
In addition to Mayor Arceneaux’s remarks, Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon pointed out the unique policing challenges that the city faces compared to a larger metropolis like San Francisco. Shreveport has a crime clearance rate of 64%, showcasing improvements in law enforcement efficacy. Local leaders, including Shreveport City Councilman Jim Taliaferro, have stressed the importance of recognizing the progress Shreveport has made and the local efforts directed towards reducing crime rather than allowing external commentary to overshadow these advancements.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also criticized Newsom’s statements, asserting that the governor should focus on correcting issues within his own state of California instead of misrepresenting Shreveport’s situation. As evidence of Shreveport’s turnaround, officials noted that the homicide count in 2023 was recorded at 24, while San Francisco had a total of 14 homicides reported for the same year.
Local stakeholders are optimistic about continuing improvements in public safety, emphasizing the need for respectful acknowledgment of their progress rather than using the city’s past as fodder for political debates.
FAQ
What did Gavin Newsom say about Shreveport’s crime rate?
Gavin Newsom criticized Shreveport, stating it exemplified crime chaos needing federal attention and compared its murder rate to that of Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco.
How did Mike Johnson respond to Newsom’s comments?
Mike Johnson asserted that Newsom should focus on addressing problems in California instead of insulting Shreveport and emphasized the city’s need to address crime through local laws.
What crime rate improvements have been reported in Shreveport?
Shreveport has reported a 40% drop in homicides in 2024 and a 35% decrease for the current year. The city is also no longer on the list of the ten most dangerous cities in America.
What challenges does Shreveport face compared to larger cities?
City officials suggest that while Shreveport faces its own policing challenges, it spans a similar geographical area as larger cities such as San Francisco, complicating crime comparison metrics.
Key Features
| Feature | Shreveport | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Under 250,000 | Nearly 1 million |
| Homicides 2023 | 24 | 14 |
| Drop in Homicides (2024) | 40% | N/A |
| Crime Clearance Rate | 64% | N/A |
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Times
- KSLA News
- KPEL 96.5
- KTBS 3 News
- KTAL News
- Wikipedia: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Google Search: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shreveport
- Google News: Shreveport crime rate
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.
