Louisiana State Police Redeploys Troopers to Support the City of New Orleans in Partnership with the Tourism and Business Community

MARCH 12, 2015

 

BATON ROUGE – Today, Louisiana State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson announced that additional State Troopers will redeploy this week to the City of New Orleans in support of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).  The operational planning has been underway since the completion of the 2015 Mardi Gras detail, when senior staff within the department were tasked with developing a sustainable strategy to deploy Troopers to compliment the operations of the NOPD 8th District. The redeployment will be in partnership with the New Orleans business community, who will help supplement Louisiana State Police overtime expenses and provide support for the deployment plan.

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced that they raised and dedicated $2.5 million to fund State Police operations within the French Quarter, Central Business District, Marigny, and Bywater areas.  State and local officials have been working since that time to develop a strategy utilizing the CVB funds based on the needs of the New Orleans Police Department and requests made by business and community leaders.  Businesses, residents, and visitors should expect to see upwards of 60 uniformed Troopers throughout the French Quarter and neighboring areas.  This uniformed presence will supplement the officers of the NOPD 8th District.  In addition to the French Quarter, Orleans Parish will see an increased presence of Troopers from Troop B, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, DPS Police, and the various investigative Troopers who operate in the city every day.

Governor Bobby Jindal said, “We are proud to step up and help protect New Orleans and ensure that it remains one of the greatest cities in the world. I cannot overstate my appreciation to the men and women of the Louisiana State Police for their efforts in New Orleans in light of the problems the city faces. The value and successes of the Troopers’ recent deployments are clear, and we are grateful for their work to help preserve public safety. We will continue to support the City of New Orleans, one of our most historic cities, as they work to rebuild the ranks of their police department.”

Colonel Edmonson said, “This was a cooperative effort between the Louisiana State Police, the New Orleans Police Department, business, and political leaders.  My commitment to Mayor Landrieu and Chief Harrison is steadfast while also being mindful of our obligation to the Sheriffs and Chiefs across Louisiana who we work in partnership with on a daily basis. I am confident that this plan can be executed without adversely impacting other areas of the state, and I am appreciative of the unprecedented support by the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau in providing the necessary funding. I have visited with my Troopers who are poised, trained, equipped and motivated to assist. I could not be prouder of their past efforts and their willingness to move forward through the remainder of 2015.”

Mayor Mitch Landrieu said, “I sincerely thank Colonel Edmonson and the men and women of the Louisiana State Police for their continued support in helping protect both our residents and visitors. State Police deployment to the French Quarter has proven to be useful in deterring crime as well as quickly apprehending suspects. The French Quarter is a vitally important historic neighborhood, top tourist destination, and strong economic engine for the State, so we appreciate the State and the hospitality industry answering our call for help and partnering with us as we continue to build up the ranks of the New Orleans Police Department. This is just a first step. We will continue to work with the State, resident and business leaders, the City Council and our legislative delegation on a long-term solution.”

NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said, “Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors across the city and the Louisiana State Police continues to work as a strong partner in this effort. State Troopers will work side by side with our officers and will help expand our overall police presence. I want to thank Colonel Edmonson and all of the stakeholders involved for coming to the table and focusing on solutions that will help us ensure that every neighborhood in New Orleans is a safe neighborhood. ”

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro, Jr. said, "I would like to thank Governor Jindal and Colonel Edmonson for promptly responding to our needs.  The Louisiana State Police have been and remain a welcomed ally at this critical juncture in the fight against the violent criminals in New Orleans."

State Representative (District 93) Helena Moreno said, "Public safety for our residents and more than nine million tourists is one of the most critical issues that we're facing. When State Police are present in our city, not just the French Quarter, but all neighborhoods are safer because NOPD can better utilize their resources. This is a much appreciated temporary boost thanks to the hospitality industry and business leaders, but now the next step is for there to be a permanent solution for added State Police presence. I look forward to working with the governor's office and other stakeholders towards achieving this goal."

CVB President and CEO Stephen Perry said, “The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau on behalf of the entire hospitality industry, business community, tens of thousands of employees and all of our residents deeply appreciate the commitment of our governor and Colonel Edmonson of State Police for their supplemental deployment of Troopers at appropriate levels to assist New Orleans, the downtown, and the French quarter as we prepare for hundreds of thousands of leisure, corporate, business, and festival goers over the next months. It is a privilege for our industry to contribute $2.5 million for State Police overtime pay so there is no pressure on our state at a time of fiscal constraint. Our hotel community is delighted to provide complimentary accommodations for our fine State Troopers. It is such a pleasure to see the level of cooperation between Colonel Edmonson and Chief Harrison of NOPD with the net winners being the city's largest economy, our most historic neighborhood, but especially virtually every New Orleans neighborhood as higher public safety levels will serve us all! Thanks to all of our state partners and our local NOPD!”

The strategy will mirror past State Police successful operations and deployments. Troopers will be proactive in their efforts, policing with an all crimes approach focusing on illegal guns, illegal weapons and fugitives.  Enforcement efforts will utilize traditional uniformed vehicle patrol, foot patrol, plain clothes investigative operations, and commercial vehicle enforcement all based on intelligence information of criminal activity in the areas of operation.