NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Carnival krewes can return to their traditional parade routes after getting sufficient outside law enforcers for security.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell made the announcement on Wednesday during her weekly update with the media. Cantrell said that based on commitments and responses from out-of-town police agencies, the krewes "will be in a position to return to their traditional parade routes."
Cantrell added that a more elaborate announcement would be forthcoming.
New Orleans had previously asked krewes to find enough officers to supplement the understaffed New Orleans Police Department for the upcoming Carnival festivities. The city has offered to pay outside officers $50 per hour for crowd control along parade routes before Fat Tuesday and $75 per hour on Mardi Gras day.
The parade routes were initially shorted again this year due to the NOPD's ongoing manpower issues.
This is a developing story. Stay with WWL-TV for updates as new information becomes available.