Governor Landry Issues Executive Order: Declares State of Emergency Due to Officer Shortage in Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA- Today, Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency due to the police officer shortage across Louisiana. The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association estimates that Louisiana sheriffs’ offices were down approximately 1,800 deputies statewide resulting in record-low employment and an increase in response time. EO is attached.

“We applaud Governor Landry for highlighting the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front line deputy positions,” said Michael Ranatza, Executive Director, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.

“As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy, I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities. Currently, our state is facing a shortage of officers, resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today’s executive order, and the upcoming crime special session, will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state,” said Governor Jeff Landry. 

LANDRY: Honoring Louisiana’s Law Enforcement

This week we are celebrating National Police Week – a time to respect, honor, and remember the brave men and women in law enforcement who protect and serve us. This year’s commemoration comes with the crime epidemic on the minds of so many our neighbors, especially in light of U.S News and World Report recently ranking Louisiana as the worst state in the country for violent crime. 

While we only have 4.5 million people in our State, we still experience 60% more violent crime per 100,000 citizens than the national average. And it is our police officers and sheriff deputies who must race to the scenes of the all-too-often carjackings, armed robberies, shootings, rapes, and other violent crimes plaguing Louisiana. There are no trophies and very few accolades for this difficult work; yet, these peacemakers continue to be our first responders. 

I know how challenging a career in law enforcement can be, as I started my professional life as a police officer and a sheriff’s deputy. During that time, I worked nights, weekends, and holidays – in the neighborhoods, on the roads, and in the jails. I know that those in uniform experience both the best and the worst communities have to offer. Often, these individuals are on the receiving end of violence as well. It is a career that is hard on your body, your mind, and – in some cases – when you have faced the worst humanity has to offer, it can be hard on your soul. 

But all of this can be even harder on the families of those in blue because, while it is rarely covered on the news, behind every brave man and woman in uniform are people who love them. We must not forget that there are often husbands, wives, and children who are also making sacrifices for their communities. These are the ones who feel the stress of time apart, important events missed, and the strain of deep exhaustion brought home at the end of a shift. Then, if a loved one makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, they are left with the grief and uncertainty that follows. 

This sorrow and anxiety is something that I have seen firsthand. As your Attorney General, I serve as the Chairman of the Law Enforcement and Firemen Survivor Benefits Board. Over the last seven years, I have met with the families of our State’s finest killed in the line of duty. While it is one of the most difficult parts of my job, I am proud to ensure that those families receive all of the assistance that we can legally provide. And since 2016, 117 claims have been approved and over $31 million in benefits have been paid directly to the survivors of our fallen first responders. 

Still, Louisiana must do more than honor our fallen and support their families. We must also continue to support law enforcement as they battle the opioid epidemic, fight internet crimes against children, stand against illegal immigration, and work to end domestic violence and sexual assault. We must push back against those who wish to defund the police and disrespect the blue. And we must continue to have the backs of officers who continue to operate within the law. 

Our State’s crime problem will not be remedied overnight. A safe Louisiana can only be achieved with the help of law enforcement. Without the sacrifices of our officers and deputies – and their families – we will never fully address violent crime, hold hardened criminals accountable for their actions, or protect our citizens.  

That is why, this week, I ask you join me in appreciating Louisiana’s law enforcement. Please be sure to thank those who stand on the thin blue line that divides order and chaos. And please pray with me for these brave men and women to be strong and steadfast. Together, we can make Louisiana a better place. 

Jeff Landry
Louisiana Attorney General

KENNEDY: Democrats and White House Started the Defund and Disrespect the Police Movement

Sen. John Kennedy, LA, has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration and Democrats, in general, regarding the “defunding the police” movement. Just last month, his office released the following:

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today addressed rising crime rates Americans are experiencing in the wake of Pres. Biden’s soft-on-crime policies.

Kennedy outlined the four steps needed to reduce crime in Louisiana and American communities:

- Hire more police officers.

- Keep police officers on the force.

- Get rid of prosecutors whose attitude is, “Hear no evil. See no evil. Prosecute no evil.”

- Stop disrespecting the police.

Key excerpts from Kennedy’s statement include:

“Long term, we can debate the solutions to crime, but short term, in my judgment, we have to do three things. Number one: We've got to hire more cops.”

“Number two: We're going to have to stop the retirements among our police officers. They're retiring in droves.”

“The third thing we need to do to get control of crime [won't] cost any money, but it may be the most difficult of all three of the things we have to do. We have to improve the morale of our cops, and that starts with our elected officials.

“But I think that if you talk to most moms and dad in this country, and ask them what are they worried about when they lie down to sleep at night and can’t, I don’t think they’re worried about proper pronoun usage. I don’t think they’re worried about the president’s war against oil production in America. I think they’re more worried about their job and the economy and inflation, and I think they’re worried about crime.”

“And you’re not going to get control of crime until you keep the cops you have, you add more cops and you stand behind your cops when they’re right, which is 99.9 percent of the time. And folks, that doesn’t cost money.

“…We have sent a breathtaking amount of money to state and local government. I mean, they’ve got more money now than they’ve ever had in their entire histories, adjusted for inflation. They’ve got the money to do this.”

View Kennedy’s complete remarks here.

Yesterday, while on Fox News, Kennedy continued on his focus on this issue by reiterating his stance on defunding and disrespecting of law enforcement.

KENNEDY: We’ve Got Prosecutors Today Who Think Cops Are A Bigger Problem Than Criminals

We’ve got prosecutors today who think cops are a bigger problem than criminals.

That’s a problem, and we need to sharpen the law to protect innocent Americans. pic.twitter.com/nBLnLoX8af

— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) July 27, 2022

Remember the Officer Involved Shooting in Marksville that Killed an Autistic Kid?

Photo source: WAFB

If you do, then this should enrage you. After serving less than two years of a seven year sentence, this killer was freed from prison.

"I want to remind everyone that this case dealt with the tragic death of a child," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a statement Monday. "Mr. Greenhouse's early release is a disappointment."

"Unfortunately, (Greenhouse's) early release is yet another example of the lack of transparency in our criminal justice system, as it relates to victims and their families," Landry said.

Read more: Ex-officer released after serving time for killing boy

Police Department Highlights Early Successes

Early successes by the New Iberia Police Department are highlighted in the below video report.

LAGOP Statement on Baton Rouge Law Enforcement Shooting

(CLEVELAND, OHIO) -- Following the Baton Rouge, Louisiana shooting of multiple members of law enforcement by currently unknown suspects, Louisiana GOP Chairman Roger F. Villere, Jr. released the following statement:

Moments ago, the Louisiana Republican delegation here in Cleveland was notified that our home was attacked. Our delegation, elected by our neighbors, is mournfully awaiting details on this reported attack on our police force by multiple assailants.

This tragic shooting affects black and white, rich and poor, civilians and public servants alike.

This cowardly crime is an attack on the values of law and order that members of the Baton Rouge community so desperately tried to maintain in the 12 days since the eyes of the world focused on our state.

We send this message to those who would threaten to divide us: We are Louisiana and we will stand united and prayerful against evil.

We are reminded in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Here's the Video of the Baton Rouge Police Shooting of Alton Sterling

Photo source: YouTube  

Warning, this is graphic. ​

This video was obtained from the Facebook page belonging to East Stackz. ​

You be the judge on this. ​

Will Barack Obama Finally Admit That Cali Shooting is a Terrorist Attack?

Photo source: NBC News

CNN is reporting this morning that the wife and co-conspirator in the shooting that took place earlier this week had sworn allegiance to ISIS. Obama and his talking heads in the White House have steadfastly held to the notion that this incident was "workplace violence" or anything other than what most of America has seen it for, which is radical Islamic jihad.

And, on the heels of this shooting, the "President" has named an Hamas sympathizer as the new ISIS czar.

What else will it take for America to see we have an Islamic sympathizer as President who has no intention to protect us against ISIS and would rather focus on gun rights being diminished and calling climate change the greatest risk to this country? May God watch over us, because Obama sure in the hell won't.

Mother Questions Why Police Were Not Indicted In Son's Death

Photo source: rt.com

With issues surrounding police interactions with citizens and subsequent tragedies that have occurred on certain occasions, we have this issue in Lafayette Parish regarding the death of a young man after a confrontation with law enforcement and the decision to not prosecute the involved officers.

You'll Never Believe What was Found in Homeless Man's Pockets in Slidell, LA

Image source: Slidell Police Department

Slidell Police recently posted a photo of what was found in a homeless man's pockets on their Facebook page, and what exactly it is, will leave you flabbergasted.  It seems that this man, who was arrested for urinating in public, was found with over $800 in cash on his person.  This same man was offered a job on numerous occasions, but there's no small wonder that he was unwilling to take work when he can panhandle nearly $800 in cash each week.

Read more: Police tackle homelessness, use $800 in man’s pockets as example

IBERIA PARISH AND THE CONTINUING SAGA SURROUNDING THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Photo source: North American Law Center

In what makes yet another story in years of turmoil within the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office, the Department is under investigation of improper use of force against an inmate in the Parish Jail while in custody.  The video concerning that incident can be seen here.

The latest incident comes on the heels of the death of Victor White, who died while in police custody and was determined to have inflicted a deadly wound to himself with a hidden gun, all the while handcuffed with his hands behind his back.

In addition, the Sheriff's Department was named in a federal investigation concerning improper use of force during Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival celebrations in 2013.  A video was taken of a deputy beating a handcuffed man following the Festival on Hopkins St.  As a result of the video, the deputy was fired from the Department by Sheriff Louis Ackal.

Ackal has repeatedly said he is working to clean up the Department, but settlements with plaintiffs concerning issues with his Department and behaviors of his deputies have mounted to $1.1 million dollars.