Louisiana Gov. Calls Special Session to Undo Democratic Predecessor’s Crime Policies

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks during the start of the special session in the House Chamber in Baton Rouge, La., on Jan. 15, 2024. (Michael Johnson/The Advocate via AP, Pool)

Louisiana, under the leadership of newly inaugurated Republican Governor Jeff Landry, is witnessing a pivotal shift in its approach to combating crime.

Mr. Landry has called for a special legislative session to address the state’s surging crime rates. He represents a clear departure from the strategies of his predecessor, Democrat John Bel Edwards.

New Orleans, having earned the unfortunate title of the nation’s 2022 “murder capital,” is at the center of this legislative effort. This initiative underscores a broader commitment to reversing the trends plaguing Louisiana, signaling a tough stance on crime prioritizing public safety.

Governor Landry’s Agenda for Crime Reduction

Mr. Landry’s office has laid out a robust agenda targeting key areas such as reforming the bail system to ensure those charged with violent crimes are held until trial, increasing penalties for violent offenses, and bolstering law enforcement capabilities.

“This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises we made to the people of Louisiana to make our State Safe Again,” Mr. Landry said in a press release. “No one, regardless of their neighborhood or zip code, should feel unsafe. We all want safer communities. We will defend and uplift our law enforcement officials and deliver true justice to crime victims who have been overlooked for far too long. I am eager to enact real change that makes Louisiana a safer state for all.”

One of the primary focus areas of the special session is to consider legislation that would increase penalties for violent crimes. This initiative reflects a broader strategy to deter criminal activities by imposing harsher consequences for offenses such as homicide, aggravated assault, and armed robbery.

The proclamation also highlights the need for bail system reform as a crucial item on the legislative agenda. The proposed reforms aim to address concerns that the current bail system allows potentially dangerous individuals to be released prematurely, posing a risk to community safety.

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Another critical aspect of the session’s agenda is the allocation of additional resources to law enforcement agencies. This includes funding for training, equipment, and personnel, all aimed at enhancing the capacity of police departments to prevent and respond to crime effectively.

To bolster the prosecution of violent crimes, Mr. Landry has directed the legislature to consider legislation to enhance witness protection programs to encourage community members to participate in the judicial process, thereby increasing the likelihood of conviction and sentencing offenders.

The agenda also includes a focus on repeat offenders, with proposed legislation to increase penalties for those who continue to engage in criminal behavior.

Criticisms from ACLU

The ACLU of Louisiana has voiced concerns about the focus on punitive measures, highlighting the need for addressing underlying causes of crime, such as socioeconomic disparities.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell speaks onstage at the Evening Concert Series during the 2021 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at the University of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 26, 2021. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

“The ACLU of Louisiana is deeply concerned with the “tough on crime” sweeping policy proposals of the governor,” the group said in a statement following Mr. Landry’s announcement. “From the restriction of parole eligibility, good time, and earned compliance to the lowering of the age of majority for juveniles. The governor’s policy proposals are not evidence-based, lack the data necessary to inform sound criminal justice policy, and will disproportionately harm communities of color.”

They further argue the legislature should allow their work to be informed by “well-researched and evidence-based smart on crime reform efforts.”

Unified Support and Federal Consent Decree Considerations

Mayor LaToya Cantrell, a Democrat, endorsed Mr. Landry’s crime-fighting plan and underscored a unified approach to tackling New Orleans’ public safety issues.

The mayor told NOLA.com about her alignment with the governor’s initiatives, including the strategic deployment of a new permanent Louisiana State Police troop in the city.

The troop will combat what Mr. Landry said was the “shambles” that the New Orleans Police Department has been left in following a 2012 consent decree, which has left the department to deal with federal oversight for over a decade now.

Both the mayor and the governor have criticized the consent decree as damaging the NOPD and making it less effective.

“What the governor said was right on,” Cantrell told the outlet. “And so I was pleased that he has echoed literally my sentiments relative to the impacts of the consent decree. The harm I would say overall that it’s caused.”

Mr. Landry’s proactive stance on crime, supported by local leaders and contextualized by federal oversight, marks a significant moment in Louisiana’s approach to public safety.

The legislative session, set against the backdrop of the NOPD’s ongoing reform under the federal consent decree, highlights a comprehensive strategy to tackle crime that respects constitutional rights while striving for a safer community. It begins on February 19 and will last 17 days through March 6.