UPDATE: Violent crime in New Orleans has declined for a third consecutive year, police officials confirmed today. This significant drop in crime coincides with the deployment of 350 National Guard troops ordered by President Donald Trump, marking a pivotal moment for the city as it grapples with safety measures during the high-profile Mardi Gras season.
Officials released the latest crime statistics, revealing a dramatic decrease in violent offenses. Murders have plummeted from 266 in 2022 to 121 in 2025, including a tragic vehicle-ramming attack that killed 14 people on January 1 last year. The New Orleans Police Department classifies these figures strictly as criminal homicides, excluding other types of deaths.
The deployment of the National Guard comes just days after they began patrolling, reinforcing local policing efforts in the French Quarter, a key area for tourism and festivities. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick expressed her support for the troops, stating, “The National Guard’s presence will certainly have impact. We’re just grateful that crime is down, and I don’t care who gets the credit.”
This move has sparked mixed reactions among local officials. While Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry advocated for the deployment due to “elevated violent crime rates,” others, including New Orleans’ newly elected Democratic mayor Helena Moreno, initially opposed the National Guard’s involvement. However, Moreno has since acknowledged the federal support as beneficial for safety during the upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations.
Trump, during a Saturday news conference, attributed the decline in crime to the National Guard’s presence. “We have crime down to almost nothing already,” he claimed, urging other governors to welcome similar assistance in their states.
Despite the National Guard’s current confinement to the French Quarter, Chief Kirkpatrick indicated a willingness to expand their presence to other high-crime areas. She emphasized the importance of safety, stating, “If they prevent a crime by their presence, I’m all for the safety of the city, as long as it’s constitutional and ethical.”
The overall trend in New Orleans reflects a larger decline in violent crime across major U.S. cities since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to crime analyst Jeff Asher. “We’re generally seeing a dramatic drop in overall crime pretty much everywhere across the country,” he noted. The deployment of the National Guard, while controversial, is being positioned as a crucial measure in maintaining this positive trajectory.
As the city prepares for the festivities of Mardi Gras, the focus remains on ensuring safety and continuing the downward trend in crime rates. The situation in New Orleans continues to develop, and more updates are expected as the National Guard’s role evolves.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
