CommunityEditor
01-13-2008, 06:30 PM
National Guard troops helping New Orleans’ hurricane-depleted police force will remain in the city through June, a spokeswoman for Louisiana Governor-elect Bobby Jindal said.
Guard troops have patrolled less-populated areas, including the storm-ravaged Lower 9th Ward, while the city and its police have worked to bounce back from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and fight violent crime.
New Orleans had 209 homicides last year, a nearly 30 percent increase from the 161 recorded in 2006 — when it was the bloodiest city in the U.S.
The Guard has had a continuous presence here since five teenagers were killed in June 2006.
At the city’s request, Jindal will grant “one final extension” to allow a new police recruiting class to hit the streets and to develop what the City Council called “an effective strategy to mitigate the scourge of violent crime,” Jindal press secretary Melissa Sellers said.
Jindal takes office Monday, succeeding Kathleen Blanco, who repeatedly extended the Guard’s stay with the city making essentially the same argument.
Police Superintendent Warren Riley had wanted the soldiers and airmen to stay through August; summer is generally seen as a busy period for police. A police spokesman declined to comment immediately on Jindal’s plans Wednesday, saying he was unaware of them.
The city added $15.1 million to the police department’s 2008 budget for recruiting, equipment and other needs.
The department has about 1,400 officers, far below its goal of 1,700, police spokesman Sgt. Joe Narcisse said. Guard troops have been “essential” in temporarily making up the difference, Narcisse said.
The 360 Guard troops in the city can make stops and are involved in “all types of police work,” with duties ranging from neighborhood patrols to helping with homicide cases, said Maj. Michael Kazmierzak, a Guard spokesman.
Article: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_guardneworleans_080108/
Guard troops have patrolled less-populated areas, including the storm-ravaged Lower 9th Ward, while the city and its police have worked to bounce back from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and fight violent crime.
New Orleans had 209 homicides last year, a nearly 30 percent increase from the 161 recorded in 2006 — when it was the bloodiest city in the U.S.
The Guard has had a continuous presence here since five teenagers were killed in June 2006.
At the city’s request, Jindal will grant “one final extension” to allow a new police recruiting class to hit the streets and to develop what the City Council called “an effective strategy to mitigate the scourge of violent crime,” Jindal press secretary Melissa Sellers said.
Jindal takes office Monday, succeeding Kathleen Blanco, who repeatedly extended the Guard’s stay with the city making essentially the same argument.
Police Superintendent Warren Riley had wanted the soldiers and airmen to stay through August; summer is generally seen as a busy period for police. A police spokesman declined to comment immediately on Jindal’s plans Wednesday, saying he was unaware of them.
The city added $15.1 million to the police department’s 2008 budget for recruiting, equipment and other needs.
The department has about 1,400 officers, far below its goal of 1,700, police spokesman Sgt. Joe Narcisse said. Guard troops have been “essential” in temporarily making up the difference, Narcisse said.
The 360 Guard troops in the city can make stops and are involved in “all types of police work,” with duties ranging from neighborhood patrols to helping with homicide cases, said Maj. Michael Kazmierzak, a Guard spokesman.
Article: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_guardneworleans_080108/