United States Attorney announces joint efforts to increase violent crime prosecutions in Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that efforts to increase violent crime prosecutions in the Shreveport area are having a positive effect on crime rates.

United States Attorney Joseph’s focus on violent crime is part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing effort to increase targeted prosecutions of violent crime through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.  In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has prosecuted more than 200 defendants throughout the district, approximately 100 of which are in the Shreveport area, for firearm related offenses, including felons and drug dealers in possession of firearms.   These prosecutions represent approximately three times the number of such cases than have been brought in previous years.

The PSN program is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office involving local, state and federal law enforcement.  In Shreveport, participants include the ATF, FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport Police Department and Shreveport Mayor’s office.  The program has been proven to be successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone.  United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a crime reduction strategy involving PSN.

“The aim of these targeted prosecutions is to remove the most violent and dangerous offenders from our streets,” Joseph stated.  ”We stand with our federal and local partners in facing the threats of violence, gun crimes and drug abuse in our communities. We will not be deterred, and we will continue to step up the pressure on these bad actors. The message is clear, if you threaten the safety and security of innocent people in our communities, you will face the consequences.”

The Western District of Louisiana consists of 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes and encompasses two-thirds of the State of Louisiana. This area covers the cities of Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.