Mardi Gras ended at midnight Tuesday in New Orleans as law enforcement walked down the streets of the French Quarter blaring sirens. Carnival season was tainted with the shooting deaths of two tourists this year. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser hopes legislation placing the state in charge of the worldwide tourist attraction will reduce crime.
“Well, that’s why we were working on a plan to try to take the French Quarter and separate it, kind of like how they did in San Diego with the Gaslamp District. We’re going to be back this year to try to do something,” said Nungesser.
The legislation would basically turn the French Quarter into a State Park, with park rangers acting as law enforcement. Nungesser said a plan was in place with the Mayor, that included adequate police patrol, surveillance, and improved lighting.
“We were well on our way with a plan but some of the people that weren’t included in the plan did not help us get the legislation passed, so we’re going to try that again this year,” said Nungesser.
Nungesser said to make the Quarter safer everyone including city council members and the mayor has to get on board.
“We’ve got to work as a team to get this done because it will affect us well into this year and especially with the fairs and festivals around the corner, that attract millions of people. This is our time to shine,” said Nungesser.
A 15-year-old girl from Houston and a 33-year-old man from South Carolina were killed in separate shootings during carnival in New Orleans.
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