Landry wants to spend at least $19 million more on state police in New Orleans before July

Gov. Jeff Landry is asking the Louisiana Legislature to put an extra $19.1 million into public safety initiatives for New Orleans over the next five months. The money would come from unexpected revenue the state collected through taxes and fees in the current budget year.

All of the money will go toward Louisiana State Police, according to a budget bill Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, filed in the current special legislative session on crime. McFarland said the money is earmarked specifically for New Orleans. 

The allocation includes money for two mobile command units, uniforms, overtime pay, an extra evidence room in New Orleans, ballistic plates for bulletproof vests, leg restraints, bomb suits and robots. It must be spent by June 30, the last day of the state fiscal year.

Landry has already indicated he wants to set up a brand new Louisiana State Police troop in New Orleans. McFarland said the transfer of this money is a step toward that expansion in the city.