Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington has announced that the overall violent crime rate in Bossier Parish remained stable throughout 2023, thanks to proactive measures taken by law enforcement agencies. Instances of rape, robbery, and intimidation notably decreased, while aggravated burglary remained absent for the third consecutive year.
According to Sheriff Whittington, the decline in violent crime can be attributed to the diligent efforts of the Joint Criminal Apprehension Team (JCAT) and patrol deputies, who focused on areas prone to such offenses and conducted proactive patrols. Instances of rape decreased by 30.2%, robbery by 66.7%, and intimidation by 73.4%, demonstrating significant progress in curbing violent crime.
However, while overall violent crime remained stable, the total number of criminal cases saw a slight 1.2% increase in 2023, with a total of 12 more cases reported compared to the previous year. Sheriff Whittington reassured citizens that minor spikes observed in specific categories, such as shoplifting and unauthorized use, do not warrant alarm, as they are reflective of low absolute numbers in the parish.
In terms of property crimes, Bossier Parish experienced a modest increase of 2.7% in 2023. Significant percentage increases were observed in cases of shoplifting, unauthorized use, and theft from auto. Burglary cases also saw a slight uptick, increasing by 7.7% from the previous year.
Sheriff Whittington emphasized the importance of community vigilance in mitigating property crimes, urging citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities to patrol deputies and adhere to the “Lock, Observe, and Call” approach to prevent vehicle burglaries in the parish.
Looking ahead to 2024, Bossier Parish remains committed to reducing overall crime rates, with Sheriff Whittington and the Bossier Sheriff’s Office reaffirming their dedication to this goal. They underscored the crucial role of community partnership in creating a safer environment for all residents and pledged to continue working collaboratively to achieve this objective.
