Gov. Landry shares thoughts on how National Guard would serve in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Gov. Jeff Landry provided more insight into how he envisions the National Guard’s role in Louisiana cities.

Landry said the National Guard’s law enforcement component has existed for years, and active soldiers have worked with law enforcement as analysts for more than 20 years.

“There are a number of different roles that the National Guard can play, and I think the biggest thing we forget is that the National Guard is our community. They are exactly the fabric of our community,” he said.

According to Landry, law enforcement agencies in the state have “taken a beating” in the past decade, and stated that police departments in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge need assistance. He said the National Guard is to serve as a “force multiplier.”

Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards welcomes the support he would get from the National Guard and would want troops to serve in a support role rather than a replacement for officers. He noted the shortage of about 150 city police officers in a statement on Tuesday.

Landry pointed to the aftermath of the New Year’s Day terror attack in New Orleans’ French Quarter when troops were deployed as an example of success. “I brought in 100 National Guard troops to secure one of the largest crime scenes at the time,” he recalled.

On Monday, Landry sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth requesting the activation of 1,000 National Guard troops in Louisiana to address crime in cities.

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