Guard to stay in New Orleans through June

[unhappycamper]

Guard to stay in New Orleans through June
By Becky Bohrer - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 9, 2008 15:46:39 EST

NEW ORLEANS — National Guard troops helping New Orleans’ hurricane-depleted police force will remain in the city through June, a spokeswoman for Louisiana Governor-elect Bobby Jindal said.

Guard troops have patrolled less-populated areas, including the storm-ravaged Lower 9th Ward, while the city and its police have worked to bounce back from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and fight violent crime.

New Orleans had 209 homicides last year, a nearly 30 percent increase from the 161 recorded in 2006 — when it was the bloodiest city in the U.S.

The Guard has had a continuous presence here since five teenagers were killed in June 2006.

At the city’s request, Jindal will grant “one final extension” to allow a new police recruiting class to hit the streets and to develop what the City Council called “an effective strategy to mitigate the scourge of violent crime,” Jindal press secretary Melissa Sellers said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_guardneworleans_080109/