Louisiana : Safety by City
- Baton Rouge
- Bogalusa
- Bossier City
- Chalmette
- Farmerville
- Franklinton
- Houma
- Kenner
- Lafayette
- Lake Charles
- LaPlace
- Mandeville
- Marrero
- Metairie
- Monroe
- Natchitoches
- New Iberia
- New Orleans
- Pineville
- Ponchatoula
- Prairieville
- Shreveport
- Slidell
- Springhill
- Terrytown
Shreveport is a relatively small city of nearly 200,000, in Northwest Louisiana, minutes from both Texas and Arkansas.
It is on the Red River where there are casinos on riverboats.
It has a rich history that includes gambling, prostitution, and a flavor of the old west.
Stately antebellum homes dot the city, and it is a gateway to gardens, trails, and parks.
It is a gateway to the great outdoors with a myriad of activities available.
It has the largest rose garden in the United States, and several museums, art galleries, and brewing companies.
The famed Red River District is not as lawless as it used to be but has many bars, restaurants, and late-night fun on the riverfront.
It is the gateway to the city aquarium and science museums.
There are several small specialty museums in the city as well.
Scavenger hunts are popular events.
Arts and live music are also major attractions.
Warnings & Dangers in Shreveport
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Shreveport is not the safest city, with a crime and property rate that is higher than the national and state average. There is a lot of poverty, which generally means a higher crime rate. The city is safe during the day, and normal precautions are recommended. Some areas should always be avoided, but most tourist areas are safe.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
There are licensed taxis available from the airport and around town. There is a bus system as well. The greater problem in this part of the country is a lack of public transportation. The available public transportation is safe, but you can get around easily by renting a car.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
While Shreveport does have a high crime rate, pickpockets are not common. The crime itself is not as profitable as it used to be, with fewer people carrying cash, and cards harder to hack. It is still a good idea to keep your possessions protected, and don't let anyone see your wallet or purse.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are tornadoes occasionally but they are rare. Hurricanes could cause damage, but that doesn't happen here much either. There are no earthquakes, and even with the Red River, flooding is not common. There is very little risk here of a natural disaster. Rarely does it snow, and that causes more problems than anything else.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Shreveport has a high crime rate, and there are areas where it is not safe. The riverfront is a popular tourist area, and there is some crime there. It is not a good place to be at night alone, and you should avoid alleys or isolated areas where most crime happens. A little extra caution is good here, especially at night.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Shreveport has not had any terrorism and it does not seem like a target terrorists would like. There is some concern about domestic terrorism, and there is some gun violence. There have been very few mass shootings in this area.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There might be a fake ticket sold, and there could be some scams related to gambling since it is popular in this area. Apart from that, there are not a lot of scam operations being reported. Most scams are online operations aimed primarily at elderly people to steal their financial information.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
While the tourist areas are fairly safe, there have been a lot of rapes reported in Shreveport. The national average is 40-45 per 100,000 people. In Shreveport, there were 133 in 2019, which is down from the high of 157 reported in 2016. Shreveport is consistently at least two times higher than the national average for rape cases.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water is provided by the city and it meets or exceeds all state and federal standards. There are rivers, lakes, and deep wells that provide plenty of water for the city. There have been no significant issues reported as far as water safety.
Safest Places to Visit in Shreveport
The riverfront, or Red River District, is one of the most popular areas of Shreveport.
It can be dangerous, but it can also be safe.
During the day there should not be any problems, and if you are in a group you should be fine even at night.
The east side of town is the safest area according to residents of the city.
The southern parts of the city are also safe and they are heavily residential areas.
The Ellerby Woods area is one of the nicer parts of the city.
Hyde Park, Western Hills, and the Lakeshore Shopping Districts are all said to be safe areas in the city.
Parks and natural areas of the city are also safe areas.
There are a lot of natural areas around the city that are also safe places to visit.
Places to Avoid in Shreveport
The corridor along Interstate 20 is a high crime area, which is not a great distance.
The area where Interstate 20 meets Interstate 49 is also a high-crime area.
The area west of Interstate 49 is a poorer area that also has a lot of crime.
The area west of Jewella Avenue where it intersects with 49 has a high violent crime rate.
The riverfront is safe during the day, but there is a lot of property crime, especially at night.
Bossier City is surrounded by Shreveport but is its own city.
It has an even higher crime rate than Shreveport, so extra care should be taken there as well.
The northern part of the city also has a lot of property crime even during the day.
Car theft is relatively common in that area, and there are not a lot of attractions there.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Shreveport
- Learn the area. Use crime maps, and ask at your hotel, to learn where the bad areas of town are, and avoid those. Keep in mind that a nice safe area could be just a block or two from a bad area. Knowing where the bad areas are will keep you mostly safe as the bad areas are really bad.
- Avoid the night. Don’t go out alone at night, and avoid it even in small groups if possible. Most crime happens at night, and it happens to people who seem like easy targets because they are alone. Most of the city is safe during the day.
- Lock your car. Keep your car locked even if you are just going away for a moment, and it is a good idea to keep it locked while driving. Thieves are looking for unlocked cars. They will normally pass up a locked vehicle.
- Mind where you park. Park in well-lit areas, and where there are lots of cars. Car theft is a real issue in this city. While it does not happen often, cars are broken into at times if they are in isolated areas. When you park your car, keep in mind what the situation will be when you return to your car.
- Hide your property. Don’t leave valuable items where they can be seen inside your car. Put electronics and other valuables in the trunk, or at least cover them with a towel or a jacket. Small-time thieves may pass up a locked car, but some people will break a window to steal something of value.
- Careful in bars. Be careful while enjoying the nightlife. Don’t accept drinks that you did not open yourself. Avoid being alone with people you do not know, and don’t go anywhere with anyone you do not know. The crime rate for rape in this city is very high.
- Look confident. Always act like you know where you are and where you are going. Avoid getting maps out in public. It is better to use your phone for directions. Thieves look for people who appear disoriented or confused.
- Keep a low profile. Don’t draw attention to yourself with expensive jewelry or electronics. Avoid counting your cash in public where it can be seen. Also, avoid letting anyone see where you keep your cash. Try to fit into the surroundings and look like a local as much as possible.
- Careful with alcohol. Avoid drinking too much, or becoming intoxicated in public. That can impair your judgment and make you a victim of a crime. If you are intoxicated, get the business where you are to call a taxi for you, which is normally a safe option.
- Mind the heat. Drink plenty of water and avoid other liquids like caffeine. Keep hydrated and be careful about getting too hot. A heatstroke can sneak up on you and you can be in trouble before you know there is a problem.
So... How Safe Is Shreveport Really?
Shreveport’s crime rate is very high, and while you could probably visit it without trouble, it is not the safest city.
Wallet Hub ranked it 148th out of 182 cities studied for overall safety, including crime and environment.
Extra care is needed if you visit this city because of both property and violent crime.
While it is an interesting city, it is hard to call it safe.
The crime rate has gone down some since the high it reached in 2017, but it is still very high.
Overall, the violent crime rate per 100,000 is 452, while the national average is 205.
The 400-450 seems more the average over the last 10 years.
That figure was at 547 in 2017.
Shreveport is double or even triple the national average on many individual violent crimes.
There are 35 per 100,000 people murdered each year in Shreveport, while the national average is five.
There are 133 rapes and the national average is 42.
Auto thefts, which have gone down significantly, are at 648 per year and the national average is 219.
The robbery rate is an astounding 294 per 100,000, while the national average is 81.
Property crime is also at least double the national average, at 409 per 100,000.
The national average is 178.
It has gone down some since 2016, but it is still very high.
Theft is the most common crime overall, accounting for 65 percent of all crimes.
Burglaries are second at 15 percent.
How Does Shreveport Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Shreveport | 52 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| New York City | 67 |
| Detroit | 56 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
Useful Information
Visas
A visa is needed to enter the country. Shreveport has no national port of entry, so if you are already in the country, you do not need anything to visit Shreveport. You must get your Visa in your own country, and you can use it for identification.
Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the standard of currency. It is the only cash accepted. However, you can use a credit card from any country and the exchange is part of the transaction. You may do currency exchange at any bank.
Weather
Summers are very hot and humid. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. It is a good idea to use sunscreens. At night there can be a lot of insects, and repellants may be useful. Winters are mild, but there are rare ice storms that cause problems.
Airports
There is a regional airport on the edge of town that has flights to other cities in the country. You may make connections to international airports in those cities.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is there for you when things go wrong, or plans change outside of your control. It is good to have the assurance that you will be covered if something bad happens. If nothing does happen, at least you have peace of mind on your trip.
Shreveport Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 14 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 26 | 20 | 15 |
| Low °C | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 13 | 8 | 4 |
| High °F | 57 | 61 | 68 | 77 | 84 | 91 | 93 | 95 | 90 | 79 | 68 | 59 |
| Low °F | 37 | 41 | 48 | 55 | 64 | 72 | 75 | 73 | 68 | 55 | 46 | 39 |
Louisiana - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 60 |
| Bogalusa | 64 |
| Bossier City | 53 |
| Chalmette | 62 |
| Farmerville | 75 |
| Franklinton | 63 |
| Houma | 63 |
| Kenner | 77 |
| Lafayette | 87 |
| Lake Charles | 73 |
| LaPlace | 75 |
| Mandeville | 77 |
| Marrero | 73 |
| Metairie | 61 |
| Monroe | 32 |
| Natchitoches | 76 |
| New Iberia | 74 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Pineville | 81 |
| Ponchatoula | 61 |
| Prairieville | 72 |
| Shreveport | 52 |
| Slidell | 76 |
| Springhill | 80 |
| Terrytown | 57 |
I love it here
One of the best cities in Louisiana, I like it better than New Orleans where there are too many homeless and drug addicts walking around. feels much safer.