citing rising violent crime in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans and police staffing shortages.

Landry said the state is dealing with a dangerous combination that requires federal assistance to help fill the gap.

On Tuesday, New Orleans Police Department leaders told a City Council committee they would welcome federal help but said no one has spelled out exactly what the Guard would be doing in New Orleans.

"They're not familiar with New Orleans. They're not familiar with the hotspots. Even if they come in here, we would have to meet with them and collaborate and plan where they're going to be and what their function is going to be," said Assistant Superintendent Hans Ganthier.

Council members raised questions about how a potential deployment would work.

"Those questions about

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