Spoiler alert: It’s not Shreveport.

While typically the conversation around our neck of the woods would lead many to believe that Shreveport could be the city in question, however, I bet you can guess the city on your second try.

Sad news today out of the bottom of our boot, as it looks like our state’s crown jewel may soon become the homicide capital of America.

New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year. Rafael Goyenche with the Metropolitan crime commission says since 2019 the homicide rate has increased by 132%. He breaks down the numbers further saying, ““Shootings have increased 87%, car jackings have increased 167%, and armed robberies are up 21%.”

The dramatic increase in homicides may have a direct correlation with the number of police officers in New Orleans. Goyenche says the city has lost over 150 police officers this year. “The police department stood at nearly 13,000 officers as we speak today were looking at about 900 police officers,” said Goyenche.

Political officials are now responding to the issue by providing officers the resources they need, Goyenche says, “The pay raises that have been ignored for the past three years will be provided to the police department.”