new orleans — The Louisiana National Guard announced Monday that 120 soldiers will remain deployed in New Orleans through August.
The six-month extension comes after the late deployment of 350 Guard members to New Orleans Decemberin the lead-up to New Year’s and other high-profile events such as the Sugar Bowl. The troops, gathered mainly in the city’s historic French Quarter, were scheduled to leave following the attack. Mardi gras.
New Orleans is one of many cities run by Democrats, e.g Washington and memphis, tennessee, Where the federal government deployed armed forces under the administration of President Donald Trump. Hundreds of federal agents also gathered in Louisiana in December as part of a separate operation Immigration campaign In and around New Orleans.
During his State of the Union address last week, Trump called the deployment of troops in New Orleans a “huge success.” In January, Trump credited the troops Reducing violent crime in the city Within a week of being published. City police data shows violent crime rates have risen decreased significantly Over the past three years in parallel with national trends.
According to a press release from the Louisiana National Guard, the remaining Guard members will serve as a “visible presence to deter criminal activity in New Orleans.”
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, a Democrat who initially opposed the deployment, said the troops would benefit the city in the coming weeks. She noted that National Guard forces provided assistance to the city during Mardi Gras celebrations last year following an incident Car ramming attack In the French Quarter, which led to the deaths of 14 people on New Year’s Day.
“I continue to support the partnership with the Los Angeles National Guard to assist with our major events and there are several more coming in the next few weeks,” Moreno said in a statement.
While Moreno did not address the events she referred to, visitors flock to New Orleans in the spring for events such as… New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican and staunch Trump ally, I asked for publication from the National Guard last September, noting that violent crime rates in New Orleans were rising despite the data The supply of crime decreased.
“This continued deployment will help us combat violence in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana,” Landry wrote on social platform X on Monday, noting that Louisiana also sent National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., last year.
Kate Kelly, Landry’s spokeswoman, said the federal government will cover the cost of the extended deployment. She did not respond to a question about whether Guard members would be deployed outside New Orleans.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Frelaux, commanding general of the Louisiana National Guard, said in a statement that troops have already worked closely with city, state and other federal agencies to improve public safety during a series of high-profile events in the city, including the influx of visitors for Mardi Gras and the city’s Carnival season.
“We are committed to these partnerships as we continue to support efforts to keep New Orleans safe for residents and visitors,” Frelaux said.
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Brock is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America It is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.