Bossier City Sees Rise in Violent Crime While Property Crime Declines

Violent Crime in Bossier City Takes a Turn, While Property Crime Shows Consistency

Hey Bossier City residents! If you’ve been keeping an eye on the safety trends in our beautiful city, you might have noticed some significant shifts in crime reports over the past decade. Thanks to the efforts of both the Bossier City Police Department and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, we now have clearer insight into what’s been happening in our community, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting database.

Rising Violent Crime Numbers

Let’s start with the unsettling news: violent crime is on the rise. Back in November 2014, we hit a low point with just 128 reported violent crimes in Bossier City. That’s something we could all celebrate! Yet, from that point onward, the numbers began gradually creeping up. Between 2014 and 2017, the numbers fluctuated between 150 and 225 reports monthly.

But things took a turn in February 2017 when we dipped below that 150 mark for the last time. This marked the beginning of a pattern where crime rates began to climb. The average seemed to stabilize, but it wasn’t long before the numbers surged dramatically, reaching a worryingly high peak of 300 violent crimes in July 2020. Since then, while the average has slipped back below 250, it’s settled into a new normal of over 200 incidents per month, which remains concerning.

Property Crime Trends Downward

On a brighter note, property crime appears to be on a downward trend. When we take a closer look at the stats, we find that property crimes have generally decreased since the beginning of the decade. This includes incidents of burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson among other offenses.

Interestingly, during the years from 2014 to 2019, the reports for property crime fluctuated quite a bit. We saw both highs and lows during this period, which made the crime landscape feel a bit unpredictable. The year 2019 stood out as the most inconsistent year, boasting highs of up to 352 cases and lows as low as 161. However, it was that same year when property crime incidents began to stabilize and present a more consistent pattern in reporting.

Context of Crime Rates in Louisiana

Look a bit further, and you’ll find that across Louisiana, reported property crimes have generally gone down since 2014, but sadly so has the population covered by these reports. Fewer areas or agencies are providing data for these reports, leading to a skewed understanding of the true crime landscape.

Questions Around Reporting Accuracy

The accuracy of the FBI’s crime reporting has also been questioned. According to recent reports by advocacy groups, the actual crime rates may be even higher than what is shown in the FBI data. These groups express concerns regarding the reporting mechanisms, suggesting that many crimes go unreported, leaving the community unaware of the real situation.

Understanding Violent Crimes

So what do we consider as violent crimes? Well, these include serious offenses like murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and more. It’s definitely important for us, as members of this community, to be aware of these numbers and how they impact our lives.

Staying Informed

Bossier City is changing, and as residents, it’s vital that we stay informed about what’s happening around us. Whether you’re concerned about violent crime or hoping to see improvements in property security, rest assured that local law enforcement is on the job, keeping eyes on the streets.

As we watch these trends evolve, let’s hope for a safer community where we can all feel secure in our homes and neighborhoods!