Sadly, another murder in Shreveport has become routine news. And it’s possible that the 2021 murder rate will be the highest in Shreveport’s history.
Gun violence was undoubtedly a factor in Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins’ decision to ask then-Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond to resign. Since late August,. Wayne Smith has been at the helm of the Shreveport Police Department.
Despite the efforts of now-interim SPD Chief Wayne Smith, the murder rate has not subsided.
Raymond was often criticized by the Shreveport City Council on the city’s crime rate. And on many occasions council members stated that they had lost confidence in his ability to successfully fight crime, especially violent crime, in the city.
In a sharp contrast, Smith has gotten lotsa “love” from the council, with nary a harsh comment. Seemingly, the difference in the attitude of many council members is based more on personality and race than crime statistics.
Be that as it may, Shreveport is not alone in its successful efforts to reduce homicides.
The New York Times recently reported a surge in homicides has swept the country, touching not only the largest cities but also suburbs, small towns and even rural areas. The Times relied on data from the Gun Violence Archives, which tracks shootings using local news accounts and official reports.
Nationally, experts are undecided on the causes of the violence surge, although all point out that the COVID-19 pandemic and its destabilizing effects has been a constant.
Locally, officials acknowledge that there are too many guns, most of which are illegal, in the hands of citizens. Other factors that have been identified include breakdown of the family unit, too many single-parent households (usually moms versus dads), increased drug use and gun buying, unemployment and financial instability.
Crime is always a political hot potato issue and one that permeates political campaigns for elected officials, especially local mayors. No doubt crime will be central issue in next year’s mayoral election.
Perkins will need to name a new police chief next year, once the police chief exam results are released. Smith was one of the finalists when Perkins appointed Raymond, and, although his confirmation was confirmed by the council, there was always a political undercurrent that Smith should have been given the nod.
When Perkins named J.P. Lane as substitute Shreveport fire chief after the retirement of Scott Wolverton, he made it clear that Lane would not pursue the position of permanent fire chief. Perkins did not make that disclaimer when he appointed Smith as the substitute police chief.
Most observers believe Smith will again test and apply for the permanent police chief position. There has been some talk that the job as chief is taking its toll on Smith and that, along with the murder rate, may influence him to retire.
No matter who is named as the next permanent police chief, the city’s murder rate will be foreground to most citizens and mayoral candidates next year. How long Smith will get a free ride from public criticism is an open question.