Priya PatelTLDR:
- Shreveport Police Department is upgrading technology to combat crime with new cameras, drones, and a mobile command center.
- The department has seen improvements in violent crime rates and shots fired calls.
Shreveport Police Department (SPD) is taking proactive measures to tackle the rising crime rates in the city. With 11 homicides in the first two months of 2024, SPD is ramping up its technological capabilities to enhance law enforcement efforts. The department has introduced new surveillance tools like cameras, drones, and a mobile command center to improve monitoring and response to criminal activities.
Chief Wayne Smith highlighted the new additions, including a mobile camera trailer with four deployable cameras for specific areas, and a million-dollar mobile command center currently in production. The introduction of a Bearcat, an armored vehicle for dangerous situations, and 13 drones with six pilots for aerial surveillance signifies a significant advancement in SPD’s capabilities.
Furthermore, the Real Time Crime Center now boasts nearly 1,300 camera feeds, up from around 700 last year, demonstrating the department’s commitment to leveraging technology for crime prevention and prosecution. These enhancements have already shown results, with a 33% decrease in the violent crime index compared to the previous year and a 13% reduction in shots fired calls.
