Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided text:
* National Guard Deployment: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has requested up to 1,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to Louisiana, including potentially New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport. The deployment to New Orleans is happening, though the exact number of troops is unclear.
* NOPD & Governor Collaboration: New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick wants a collaborative relationship with the National Guard, similar to how they work during events like Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. She emphasizes she doesn’t want a “takeover” but will utilize any resources to ensure public safety. Governor Landry states he will work with the NOPD.
* Reason for Deployment: Governor Landry cites a “crime problem” in New Orleans as the reason for the deployment. He is open to receiving assistance from various federal agencies (DEA, FBI, etc.).
* Timing & Duration: The timing of the troop arrival and the length of their stay in New Orleans are currently unknown.
* Crime Statistics: While there’s been a recent increase in violent crime (specifically homicides) over the past week, overall crime rates in New Orleans are down compared to last year, according to the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Governor Jeff Landry plans to deploy up to a thousand National Guard troops to Louisiana to address a rise in crime, particularly in New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS — They’re coming, but the specifics of what a national guard troop presence will look like in New Orleans are just now being worked out.
Governor Jeff Landry has requested up to 1,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to Louisiana, but it’s unclear how many will be sent to New Orleans. According to the police chief, the deployment is happening.
Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says the first meeting between the NOPD, the governor, and the National Guard will take place this week to begin determining what a deployment in New Orleans would look like. Kirkpatrick said on WWL Radio Thursday morning she wanted a working-partnership type of relationship, pointing to Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl as examples.
“My number one issue is I don’t want a takeover. I don’t want a takeover attitude. But politically, I am here to serve everyone on each side of the aisle, and I respect the arguments of each side, but I’m about your safety, and I will do anything to keep the people safe in this city. So give me the assets, I’ll make it work,” said Kirkpatrick.
Governor Landry, who also wants troops in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, said he will be working in collaboration with the NOPD. Gov. Landry says it’s to combat what he calls a crime problem in the city.
“I think people just get themselves a little worn out, ‘O,h it’s the national guard.’ It doesn’t matter, whoever wants to come here and protect the city. If the President wants to send [resources], we will take more assets with the DEA, FBI, HSI, all of the alphabet soups of the federal government,” said Gov. Landry.
It’s unclear when troops will arrive in New Orleans or how long they will stay.
Over the past seven days, New Orleans has seen an uptick in violent crime, homicides in particular. Overall, according to statistics from the Metropolitan Crime Commission, crime rates are down compared to last year.
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