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Caddo Parish adopts Resolution 19 to support domestic-violence registry after police chief warns incidents are rising
Summary
The Caddo Parish Commission unanimously adopted Resolution 19, advancing a domestic-violence registry and directed staff to coordinate resources after Police Chief Smith detailed year-over-year increases in domestic incidents and urged simplified victim services and school-based supports.
The Caddo Parish Commission on March 16 adopted Resolution 19 after a multi-commissioner discussion prompted by a presentation from Police Chief Smith about rising domestic-violence calls.
Chief Smith told the commission that officers responded to 2,627 incidents coded as domestic violence in 2024 and 2,885 in 2025 — an increase he described as “about 9%.” He also said that, in 2025, roughly “22 and a half percent of our homicides were domestic-violence related” inside the city limits and that so far in 2026 officers had responded to 514 domestic incidents. "If things are somewhat predictable, you can brainstorm, come up with ideas and possible solutions to try to reduce those numbers," Chief Smith said.
Commissioners used the presentation to press for concrete follow-up. Chief Smith and staff described several ongoing efforts: a partnership with the Caddo Parish School Board to notify counselors when juveniles are exposed to trauma; creation of calming rooms in schools; expanded officer training to recognize victims; and a pamphlet that officers would carry to give victims immediate, local contact information for services. Chief Smith said the goal is not only to hand out literature but “to make the call and actually connect the person with the service.”
Several commissioners, including Commissioner Cochran, Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Gracie, praised the chief’s data and pledged to co-sponsor the resolution. Commissioner Cochran noted the measure drew on a model from out of state (referred to in discussion as "Savannah's Law") and said parish staff had adapted the approach for local conditions.
A motion to adopt Resolution 19 was called and carried unanimously with 12 in support and none opposed. The commission voted to advance the item immediately so the chief could deliver his presentation and to direct administration and law-enforcement partners to coordinate next steps, including outreach to schools and community service providers. The resolution text calls for establishing a registry mechanism and increased transparency about domestic-violence reporting and victim supports; staff will return with implementation details and suggested timelines.
Next steps: commissioners asked administration to provide a report on implementation planning and resource needs at an upcoming meeting and to circulate available state-level data the commission can use to evaluate effectiveness. The commission also invited continued stakeholder collaboration with nonprofits, prosecutors, the clerk of court and other partners.
