Shreveport, August 19, 2025
News Summary
Shreveport has become a focal point in political discussions after California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized its crime rate, claiming it was six times higher than San Francisco’s. Local officials, including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, defended the city, highlighting improvements in public safety and a significant reduction in homicides. Mayor Tom Arceneaux emphasized Shreveport’s progress and investments in policing and technology. The city has reported a notable decrease in crime and is striving to address safety challenges amidst ongoing political debates.
Shreveport
Shreveport has become a focal point for political discourse following remarks made by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized the city’s crime rate during a recent interview. Newsom highlighted Shreveport as an example of crime chaos, claiming that its murder rate was six times higher than that of San Francisco. This statement prompted swift responses from local officials, including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who urged Newsom to focus on the challenges within his own state.
In a bid to address Newsom’s assertions, Johnson pointed out that he believes the California governor is attempting to undermine state laws in a power grab. He emphasized that Republicans, not Democrats, are serious about addressing crime issues, contrasting the state of Shreveport with the narrative surrounding policies enacted by local Democrats. Much of Shreveport’s congressional representation falls under Democratic U.S. Representative Cleo Fields, despite some areas being represented by Johnson himself.
Governor Landry took a different approach, highlighting that Shreveport experienced a significant reduction in violent crime, with 2025 homicides down 40% compared to the previous year. During the first few months of 2025, the city recorded only 10 homicides, a stark contrast to the 39 recorded at the same time the previous year. Additionally, calls related to gunfire, referred to as “shots-fired” calls, have decreased from 950 last year to 634 this year.
Mayor Tom Arceneaux defended the city, asserting that Shreveport has made remarkable progress in public safety. He noted that significant investments in policing and technology have yielded positive results, and that Newsom’s comments misrepresent the reality of the city’s current state. Arceneaux suggested that Newsom may not fully understand or be informed about Shreveport’s living conditions.
Shreveport has seen improvements in its crime statistics, with only 24 criminal homicides reported in the current year, compared to 52 homicides in all of Caddo Parish recorded in 2024 and a troubling spike of 74 in 2023. The city’s statistics reflect an ongoing effort to enhance safety, which included the removal of over 1,000 firearms from the streets in 2024.
Despite political criticisms from Newsom, local officials remain resilient and focused on solutions tailored to their community’s needs, rather than being distracted by external opinions. The fact that Louisiana continues to grapple with high crime rates, with one of the highest homicide rates in the U.S. at 21.3 per 100,000 individuals, adds further complexity to discussions surrounding crime and public safety.
Newsom’s remarks also reflect the mixed results of crime trends in California, where San Francisco has recorded its lowest crime rate since 2001. This contrast further complicates the narrative of crime nationwide and emphasizes the ongoing partisan struggles over crime policy.
Key Crime Statistics for Shreveport
- Homicides in Shreveport: 24 (Year-to-date, compared to 39 last year)
- Homicides in Caddo Parish: 52 (In total for 2024)
- 2023 Homicides: 74
- Shots-fired calls: 634 (This year, down from 950 last year)
- Homicides reported as of April 21, 2025: 10
FAQ
1. What did Governor Newsom say about Shreveport?
Governor Newsom criticized Shreveport’s crime rate, stating it had a murder rate six times higher than San Francisco.
2. How did local officials respond to Newsom’s comments?
Local officials, including Governor Jeff Landry and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, urged Newsom to focus on California’s issues instead and claimed Shreveport’s crime rates were improving.
3. What are the current crime statistics for Shreveport?
As of April 21, 2025, Shreveport recorded 10 homicides, and there has been a 40% decrease in homicides compared to the previous year.
4. What initiatives has Shreveport undertaken to improve public safety?
The city has invested in policing and technology and removed over 1,000 firearms from the streets in 2024.
5. What are the broader implications of this discussion?
The criticism from Newsom and the responses from local officials highlight the ongoing partisan debate over crime policies and whether current Democratic policies are effective in reducing crime.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Times: Johnson and Landry Blast Newsom
- KSLA: Newsom Calls Out Shreveport
- KTAL: Newsom’s Remarks on Shreveport Homicide Rate
- State Affairs: Johnson, Newsom, and Landry
- KSLA: Mayor Responds to Newsom’s Claims
- Wikipedia: Crime in the United States
- Google Search: Shreveport crime statistics
- Google Scholar: Shreveport crime rate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
- Google News: Shreveport crime
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.
