Crime dropped 12 percent in Caddo Parish in 2013, according to statistics released today by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Steve Prator said 209 fewer crimes were reported this past year - dropping from 1706 to 1497.  Included in those numbers were fewer violent crimes, down from 680 to 581 (-15 percent) and fewer property crimes, down from 1026 to 916 (-11 percent).

“Crime in Caddo Parish has dropped steadily since 2000 when 2,552 offenses were reported,” Prator said. “Our deputies work hard everyday training, answering calls, managing one of the biggest jails in the state, chipping away at crime to make a difference in our community.”

In 2013, there were no homicides in the rural parts of the parish, robberies were down from 19 to 5, and assaults were down from 509 to 447. Aggravated burglaries dropped from 10 to five. There were also fewer shopliftings (9 to 5), general thefts (672 to 603), thefts from autos (30 to 3), and auto thefts (43 to 25).   

Only two crime categories increased, Prator said.  The category of rape went from 19 to 25 and simple burglaries increased by four, from 271 to 275.

Crime statistics for Caddo Parish do not include Shreveport or other incorporated areas of the parish, which have their own law enforcement officers.