Is Cooper Road safe?
Shreveport, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Not recommended for casual walking around, especially after dark.
VibeLoco rates Cooper Road as “No-go after dark”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Cooper Road
“Skip. Cooper Road (the Martin Luther King Jr. area) experiences persistently elevated levels of violent crime, property crime, and structural disinvestment that pose significant safety concerns for outside visitors. Travel here is best limited to daylight hours for specific community, historical, or familial visits.”
About the area
Cooper Road is a historically significant, predominantly residential African-American neighborhood located in northwest Shreveport. While rich in community history and local culture, it faces substantial economic headwinds, high vacancy rates, and frequent violent crime incidents.
- Historic
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- High-Crime
Walking and biking in Cooper Road
Walk score: 34/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There is no public bike-share system in Cooper Road, and dedicated cycling lanes are virtually nonexistent, requiring riders to share narrow roads with vehicular traffic.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Deep civil rights and cultural heritage rooted in Shreveport's historic Black community
- Active local civic anchors including the David Raines Community Center and neighborhood churches
- Generous street and lot parking with minimal traffic congestion
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates are significantly higher than national and state averages
- Elevated poverty rate exceeding 35% with high residential blight and vacant lots
- Very limited retail, dining, and hospitality infrastructure for travelers
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is lower than in downtown Shreveport, but unhoused individuals and loitering are occasionally visible around convenience stores and abandoned commercial structures along MLK Jr. Drive.
What Cooper Road is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively calm with routine school and commuter traffic, making essential daytime stops generally manageable with basic situational awareness.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Activity increases around local convenience stores and major corridors, with heightened caution advised off main thoroughfares.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Safety drops noticeably as foot traffic dwindles and visibility decreases on poorly lit residential side streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking or lingering outdoors is strongly discouraged due to elevated risks of gun violence and property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Shreveport transit system (SporTran) operates bus service through the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive via Route 14/MLK. There is no passenger rail or BRT system in Shreveport.
Parking is abundant and entirely free, with ample open curb space on residential streets and dedicated surface lots at neighborhood businesses and community facilities.
Things to do in Cooper Road
- Visit the David Raines Community Center and adjacent sports park
- Drive the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive corridor to explore historic local community landmarks and churches
- Sample Shreveport-style stuffed shrimp and regional soul food along the nearby commercial corridors
Local favorites
- Eddie's Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Famed local institution serving legendary Shreveport stuffed shrimp and classic Southern soul food platters.
- Southern Classic Chicken · Southern Fast Food · 4.4★ (460)Beloved Louisiana-born drive-thru staple known for crispy fried chicken tenders and peppered fries.
- David Raines Community Center · Community Center & Park · 4.5★ (110)Central public recreational facility offering sports courts, a playground, and neighborhood community events.
Neighborhoods near Cooper Road
Common questions about Cooper Road
Is Cooper Road safe to walk at night?
We don't recommend walking around casually after dark here; take a ride instead.
Is Cooper Road a good place to live?
On safety, Cooper Road scores 32/100 — among the lowest we score, so look closely at specific blocks before deciding to move.
How walkable is Cooper Road?
Walk score 34/100 and bike score 38/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Cooper Road are safer?
Honore (Shreveport) (71), Dorian Terrace (71), Gary (56) score higher nearby.
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