New Orleans Police Say Crime Falling as Guard Is Sought
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Sept. 29–30, 2025 asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for up to 1,000 National Guard troops to support law enforcement in urban centers including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport; New Orleans assistant police superintendent Hans Ganthier pushed back on claims of rising crime, saying the city's crime rate is falling and the city is on pace for its lowest homicide total in more than five decades. The letter requests Guard missions to provide logistical and communications support and to secure critical infrastructure while officials and local leaders debate how military forces would interact with traditional policing and community events.
Public Safety
Politics
🔍 Key Facts
- Gov. Jeff Landry requested up to 1,000 National Guard troops from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to address alleged elevated violent crime in Louisiana urban centers.
- New Orleans assistant superintendent Hans Ganthier stated, "Our crime rate is going down," and cited preliminary city data showing 84 homicides as of Sept. 27, 2025 (124 in 2024; 193 in 2023).
- Landry's proposed Guard mission would provide logistical and communications support and secure critical infrastructure; local leaders (e.g., City Council President J.P. Morrell) raised concerns about impacts on cultural events such as 'second-line' parades.
- Sen. Bill Cassidy said Guard deployments are not a permanent solution but could deter crime; the report situates the request amid broader White House discussion of sending troops to U.S. cities.