Annual crime statistics released today by the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office show parish crime is down two percent from the previous year, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Overall in 2014, there were 1,491 reported crimes in unincorporated areas of the parish compared to 1,516 the previous year - a difference of only 25 crimes. Property crimes dropped from 928 to 847, while crimes against persons increased from 588 to 644.

Prator said the increase in crimes against persons was mostly due to more reports of simple assaults, 216 to 249, and intimidation cases, 101 to 119, which can often be attributed to cases involving phone threats and cyber-bullying. Rape remained the same, 27 to 27, and robbery dropped from five to two.

There were two reported homicides in 2014. Gwen Salley was killed by her estranged husband after he kidnapped her in DeSoto Parish then drove to a wooded area in Caddo where the homicide occurred. The death of Carmen McCauley in Vivian was also domestic.

Property crimes showed a decrease in burglaries from 277 last year to 231 in 2014. General thefts dropped from 609 to 524, but thefts from auto rose from three to 29 largely due to a change in the crime category used by deputies. 

“Overall we are happy with the work being done by our deputies and the assistance we receive from our citizens, “Prator said. “We are a large parish with many miles to cover and to continuously see a drop in crime every year is a testament to everyone’s hard work.”

Despite the drop in crime, Prator said there will be no rest for the Sheriff’s Office. “Our goal is to keep pushing forward by addressing the areas where we see increases and keeping the pressure on the areas where crime has gone down.”