Strategic Enforcement to Reduce Violence through Engaging the Natchitoches Community ("SERVE Natchitoches")

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Natchitoches, which is the seat of the Natchitoches Parish, currently has an approximate population of 18,039 and covers 26.4 square miles. 55.2% of the City’s population (9,956 individuals) are Black/African American, with roughly 38% of all residents below the federal poverty line. This population is further increased daily due to many who come to the city for employment, school, tourism, and other resources. The City of Natchitoches is also the home of Northwestern State University which has had record breaking enrollment of over 10,000 students over the past two years which adds to the population. The Natchitoches Police Department is tasked with providing law enforcement and public safety responses to incidents that occur within the city limits. 

Natchitoches has experienced a notable increase in criminal activities, especially violent crimes, in recent years. The Natchitoches Police Department (“NPD”) is on the front line of responding to these crimes and realized that there is more to be done to enable the department to do so the best of its ability. However, a lack of monetary and other resources readily available to the small and rural Department proposes a barrier the NPD’s capacity to address such rising crime rates. Therefore, the Natchitoches Police Department seeks financial assistance from BJA to help NPD surpass these barriers and expand the capacity of law enforcement’s community engagement/empowerment initiatives and strategic crime reduction operations in Natchitoches. The NPD will accomplish these outcomes through strategically planned improvements in the areas of community engagement, partnerships, and technology. These initiatives will directly benefit the citizens of Natchitoches and promote a safer community overall.