How busy is Mardi Gras in New Orleans for state police? For starters, just consider that there are typically more calls for service than there are sets of boots on the ground. According to State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson, there were 120 troopers utilized during Mardi Gras in New Orleans last year. They responded to 192 calls for service, made 66 arrests and officially assisted the public through more than 18,000 points of contact. And those arrests weren’t trivial; 10 were felonies that resulted in five illegal weapon recoveries. It’s no wonder why Edmonson and a slew of other top officials ranging from Gov. Bobby Jindal to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu put up a unified front during a press conference this morning. Joint law enforcement operations were announced, like foot and car patrols involving 125 troopers, underage drinking sweeps, and increased fire inspections due to higher-than-normal occupancy rates at local establishments. A special agent with the FBI has been assigned to Carnival, and local prosecutors and judges are onboard.
With tourism serving as an important part of the budget and crime remaining in the headlines, the press conference was as much about public relations as anything else. Jindal, for one, described this year’s efforts as “incredibly coordinated.” Landrieu added that the main ingredient to Carnival isn’t being tampered with: “Having a safe Mardi Gras is our top priority,” he says. “City and state agencies are coordinating to align resources and to ensure that both residents and visitors can enjoy a world-class experience in New Orleans and celebrate the best of what our culture has to offer.” —Jeremy Alford
