At the last meeting of the Caddo Commission a representative of Community Justice Coalition addressed the Commission, referring to the Coalition’s 2023 Violence Prevention Index Report. The representative advised the Commission that Shreveport had a Zero rating on all categories measured and that Shreveport was the lowest rated city in Louisiana.

This Coalition’s website (thecommunityjustice.net) has the full report, along with information on the Coalition. The mission statement reads:

"Community Justice is changing the conversation on gun violence prevention by leading with the people closest to the pain of gun violence. We're working to end gun violence in Black and Brown communities empowering those closest to the pain to build political power, amplifying their voices, changing the narrative, and advocation for policy change. Our work has had a significant impact on the gun violence community, and we are committed to building a world without gun violence."

The policy statement opines, in part, that "because we are a Black-led organization it is important to our mission to take the time to learn about the historical context, current debates and potential solution led by the community."

The website touts that the Violence Prevention Index (VPI) and scorecard "is the only national analysis of municipalities' programs, services, and policies designed to reduce gun and other forms of violence." The 2023 VPI scorecard assesses 100 U.S. cities with the highest gun violence in 2021 and 2022 based on 35 criteria in three categories: Intervention and Risk Factor Reduction; Addressing the Root Causes of Violence; and Local Offices of Violence Prevention.

The national average score of VPI-rated cities was 32 of 100 points. The index listed Baton Rouge at 35, Lafayette at 3, New Orleans at 58, and Shreveport at Zero (0).

As a matter of perspective, Washington D.C. received a score of 98, Philadelphia 95, Richmond, Va. 89, and Columbia S.C. 88.

Here are the 35 factors evaluated:

INTERVENTION

1. Outreach-based violence intervention programs.

2. Hospital-based violence intervention programs.

3. Cognitive behavioral therapy-integrated mentorship programs for at-risk individuals.

4. Victim and survivor services.

5. Community violence intervention funding levels.

RISK FACTOR REDUCTION

6. Re-entry programs and services for at-risk returning residents.

7. Municipal diversion programs.

8. Restorative justice programs.

9. Emergency and transitional housing.

HOUSING AND FOOD INSECURITY

10. Housing and food assistance programs for impacted communities.

11. Strategic workforce development programs.

12.Municipal ban-the box ordinances.

EDUCATION

13. Safe passage programs.

14. School-based violence prevention programs.

15. School suicide prevention policies and programs.

16. Inclusive school district anti-bullying policies.

HEALTH

17. Local health department violence prevention strategy.

18. Trauma recovery centers.

19. Long-term trauma-informed behavioral and mental health programs for impacted communities.

20. Community-based mental health crisis response programs.

21. Local supplemental violent crime victim compensation programs.

22. Municipal strategies to address trauma center deserts in impacted communities.

23. Municipal efforts to improve EMS qualifying and response times as impacted communities.

YOUTH AND FAMILIES

24. Youth and family violence prevention programs and survivor services.

25. Intimate partner violence prevention programs.

LOCAL FIREARM LAWS AND REGULATIONS

26. Ghost gun prevention ordinances.

27. Background check and permit-to-purchase requirements.

28. Anti-gun trafficking initiatives.

CRIME REPORTING AND DATA

29. Violent crime clearance rates.

30. Hate crime data collection and reporting.

LOCAL OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION

31. Establishment of a local Office of Violence Prevention.

32. Office of Violence Prevention creates and implements strategic plans to address violence leveraging the entire local government and community resources.

33. Office of Violence Prevention pursues federal, state, and corporate grant opportunities for community violence intervention efforts.

34. Office of Violence Prevention funds and coordinates activities of community-based violence intervention and prevention programs and services.

35. Office of Violence Prevention provides technical assistance to community violence intervention and prevention organizations and programs.

36. Office of Violence Prevention oversees regular quality and efficacy evaluations of its strategic plan, local government violence prevention efforts and Office of Violence Prevention funded community-based violence prevention programs.

In conclusion, the report notes that the index does not assess sufficiency of local funding levels or the quality of programs and services. The VPI scores are intended only to reflect the readiness of municipalities to tackle gun violence as opposed to their effectiveness.