News Summary
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has officially requested up to 1,000 National Guard personnel to be deployed in New Orleans and other major cities due to rising crime rates. This urgent measure seeks to bolster local law enforcement as certain crimes in Louisiana exceed national averages. While New Orleans sees a decrease in homicide rates, other crimes are on the rise, prompting Landry’s call to action ahead of significant events like Mardi Gras. The situation remains complex as some officials express skepticism about the necessity of additional troops.
New Orleans – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has made an official request for National Guard deployments in New Orleans and other major cities due to escalating crime rates. Landry has asked Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for up to 1,000 National Guard personnel to be stationed in these urban areas through the end of the 2026 fiscal year. This request underscores the Governor’s urgent response to what he describes as “elevated violent crime rates” affecting cities like Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.
The request comes as local law enforcement agencies struggle with manpower shortages and increasing crime rates, further complicated by the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Landry has pointed out that certain types of crimes in Louisiana, including homicides, carjackings, and gang violence, have reportedly exceeded national averages, necessitating additional support to bolster law enforcement capabilities in these high-crime areas.
While New Orleans has experienced a notable drop in homicide rates throughout 2025, with predictions pointing to the lowest number of killings in over five decades, other crimes such as robberies and assaults are projected to surpass statistics from the previous year. Preliminary data indicates that the city has recorded 75 homicides so far in 2025, which includes a tragic truck attack on New Year’s Day.
Governor Landry has emphasized the urgency of the situation by stating that the mission to deploy National Guard personnel is fundamentally about saving lives and safeguarding families. He also made a pointed address to criminals, declaring that the era of lawlessness in Louisiana is coming to an end.
Despite the request for National Guard assistance in combating crime, some local officials in both Shreveport and New Orleans have expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of such deployments. The situation has evoked memories of similar federal interventions in other cities, such as Los Angeles, where troops were sent during times of increased violence. The Trump administration has recently signaled intentions to extend this approach to cities including Chicago and Portland as well.
Landry’s request aligns with ongoing dialogues about security measures, especially with significant upcoming events in Louisiana, such as Mardi Gras and college bowl games. The governor contends that historical precedents have shown National Guard deployments to be effective in dramatically reducing crime during critical events, reinforcing the case for this requested action.
If the request is approved, the National Guard deployees would operate under Title 32 authority as outlined by US Code, with efforts primarily focused in urban centers. This deployment strategy is anticipated to not only enhance law enforcement presence but also to provide logistical support and secure critical infrastructure within the designated areas.
The rise in crime rates in Louisiana cities has become a pressing concern for state and local leaders, signaling a growing call for enhanced federal-state collaboration. Governor Landry’s outreach to the National Guard marks a significant development in the state’s approach to public safety, highlighting the complexities of policing and community security in an environment marked by both crime and vulnerability to natural disasters.
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Additional Resources
- Fox News
- Wikipedia: National Guard of the United States
- WDSU
- Google Search: Louisiana Governor request National Guard
- WAFB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Guard
- ABC News
- Google News: National Guard deployment New Orleans
- Axios
- Google Scholar: violent crime Louisiana
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
