City Leaders expected to finalize Carnival safety plans later in the week
The Mayor’s Office of Communications today (Jan. 23) announced that the city of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office will enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement that will provide the vehicle of funding for outside law enforcement agencies during the 2023 Carnival Season,” said Communications Director Gregory Joseph in a printed statement.
Several Carnival krewes have expressed concerns about having shorten or change their routes because of manpower shortages at the New Orleans Police Department.
While the statement released Monday did not provide specifics, city officials seem certain that the agreement will help alleviate the concerns over law enforcement presence and Mardi safety.
“This is a significant step in the process of returning official Mardi Gras krewes to their original routes,” Joseph said in the statement. “As a result, the January 23 deadline has been extended as the City finalizes its operational plans to determine if enough external law enforcement officers have signed up to work the necessary details and have a safe and successful Carnival season. A final decision will be made this week based on those responses.”
His statement continued, “The spirit of Carnival resides in all our people, and with the official execution of this contract, we remain hopeful and confident in the efforts of all partners to restore all Mardi Gras parades to their traditional routes for all to enjoy.”
After expressing frustration several days ago that outside law enforcement agency officers would get paid more than NOPD officers for working Mardi parade routes, city officials announced that NOPD officers would get the same pay as those from outside agencies.
