WWL-TV

NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said he'll probably ask to keep about 100 National Guard troops in the city past the end of the year.

Soldiers have helped patrol less-populated neighborhoods since mid-2006 to allow police to focus on curbing violent crime.

Earlier this year, Gov. Bobby Jindal announced plans to phase out the troops by year's end. Their ranks are down from 360 to 260.

Jindal's spokeswoman, Melissa Sellers, said late Tuesday that the administration is continuing to work with Nagin and other officials "in support of their efforts to take control of law enforcement operations in the city."

"If they are not able to meet their timeline to police the city independently, we will review their request for additional resources needed to ensure the safety and security of New Orleans, as they standup their full law enforcement operation."

The city has sought repeated extensions to allow the department, whose ranks were thinned by Hurricane Katrina, time to beef up. Nagin believes the department is making strides and will exceed pre-Katrina staffing levels next year.

The department expects to have 1,550 officers by year's end, about 100 shy of pre-Katrina levels.