NEW ORLEANS — The ongoing staffing shortage at the New Orleans Police Department is pushing Carnival Krewes to hire supplemental security if they want to roll on their full routes. Back on King's Day, Mayor Latoya Cantrell set a deadline of January 23rd for krewes to submit their plan to secure parade paths.
"Krewes can work with the city of New Orleans to attract law enforcement officers throughout the state of Louisiana who want to work with us through Carnival," Cantrell said.
Cantrell has stated the city has set aside funding to pay for the officers krewes hire, with the hopes that eliminating the financial barrier for krewes will make it easier for them to run on normal routes. She also says the city will cover the costs of housing the extra officers. Once the plans are submitted, it will be determined if the krewe gathered enough officers to operate on a full route. With that deadline now a little over a week away, some routes are still not finalized.
Cantrell said the city's Mardi Gras Advisory Council is in constant contact with krewes and is relaying all necessary information. When it comes to how many outside officers will be coming in to assist the New Orleans police department, well that's still in the works too.
"The number of officers that we do receive from outside of the New Orleans police department, once that number is determined, then our superintendent will be able to develop a sound deployment strategy, and then I would have more information," said Cantrell.
The advisory committee will hold a public meeting tonight at 5:00 PM at the Basin Street Station. As we get closer to that deadline be sure to stay connected with us to ensure you know when and where your favorite krewes will roll.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.