East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux has lifted today a parishwide curfew imposed after approximately 14 residents were arrested for looting last week amid the aftermath of flooding in the Capital Region.
“I’ve inspected the parish and seen that most of the water has receded, the weather forecast looks promising and the recovery process has begun,” Gautreaux says in a statement issued earlier today. “Cellular service has also greatly improved, giving residents the ability to call for emergency services if needed.”
The curfew originally was enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., but it drew complaints from area business owners and restaurants who said it was hurting their business and hindered their ability to get employees back to the work after historic flooding spread through south Louisiana communities.
It also was a point of contention between Gautreaux and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, who felt the curfew was unnecessary. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed off on the curfew after Holden refused.
In response to the complaints of the business community, Gautreaux adjusted the curfew to last from midnight to 6 a.m.
Gautreaux defended his decision to impose the curfew, saying that it allowed first responders to safely do their jobs and residents to survey their damage and recover items from their homes without criminal activity.
“I knew this curfew would affect everyone in the parish, but my primary focus was the thousands of our family, friends and neighbors who have lost all or most of what they own,” Gautreaux says. “There are thousands that have lost homes, vehicles, personal items that can never be replaced, jobs and any means of earning a living at this point.”
