NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a briefing last week, the city’s call for law enforcement help from across the state was a success and Mardi Gras krewes can return to their traditional parade routes.
“Jeanerette for example, wow, you know, Tangipahoa, wow and of course our partners Baton Rouge and even Jefferson Parish. We are just seeing a reach that’s deep.”
But WWL-TV has learned, sheriff offices in St. Charles, St. John, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and East Baton Rouge Parishes have all said no to the parade details at this point.
Late Tuesday evening, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto told WWL-TV that the department has signed an agreement with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office to possibly have deputies work a number of the parades, depending on the logistics.
The Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office is still considering the request.
According to a spokeswoman for the department, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s office is prepared to provide 72-100 deputies on a given night.
The Orleans constables and the Xavier and Holy Cross University police departments are expected to help as well.
“We are going to try to afford to give them 4 to 6 officers to work those parades consistently throughout the remainder of the 2023 season,” Holy Cross Police Chief Marshall Pierre said.
The Jeanerette City Marshal in Iberia Parish is also sending 6 to 10 deputies.
Marshal Fernest Martin called the opportunity to help New Orleans during Carnival, a no-brainer.
“I personally have attended the Mardi Gras at times in the past and enjoyed myself,” Martin said. “When we saw that they were lacking the manpower, we’ve been in that position. When agencies need the manpower, it’s just that brotherly love within enforcement, you know.”
Chief Pierre at Holy Cross says he expects his officers to blend in well with the NOPD and other agencies protecting the parade routes.
“We’re a small agency but we have a big heart, and our goal is and our mission is to be a part of helping out in the city of New Orleans as needed,” Pierre said.
WWL-TV also learned police departments in Westwego, Gretna, Kenner, Slidell and Baton Rouge have decided not to send officers to New Orleans.
The Port of New Orleans Harbor Police and the Eastbank Levee Authority Police have also declined to work the parade routes.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which reached out to departments across the state, expects additional commitments this week.
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