Throughout the year, Shreveport authorities track the number of homicides within the city. The total for 2012, 20, according to the Shreveport Police Department.  That the same number of homicides as in 2011 but lower than the number of homicides in 2010, being 30.  Meanwhile, Bossier City police reported three homicides in 2012. That's down from 9 homicides reported in 2011. The lower number of homicides in Shreveport and Bossier City reflects a downward trend in homicides statewide, according to the Louisiana Statistical Analysis Center.  It reports an overall drop in Louisiana homicides to 437 in 2010 from 486 in 2009. Of the 437 deaths in 2010, 351 involved a handgun; of 2009's 486, 402 involved a handgun.  Authorities are working on strategies to lower these numbers and make the streets a little safer.