Fat Tuesday is five weeks from today, and Mardi Gras krewes in New Orleans are looking law officers to lend a hand and help fill some gaps.
Krewes have nearly a week to submit names of out-of-town cops for city approval. So far, Mardi Gras guide publisher Arthur Hardy says nothing has been made official about restoring the starting point of most Uptown parades to their pre-pandemic locations.
"Other than Endymion, no krewe has its route back," said Hardy, although he says there is no shortage of gossip, rumor, and speculation.
"You keep hearing two different things: one, that no police department wants to come to New Orleans, for whatever reason, and the other thing is that there's a deal in the works and within 24 hours, we're going to hear everybody has their routes back," said Hardy.
The idea of hiring paid details to help with parade patrols has been raised before, but there were concerns the consent decree would ward off non-NOPD assistance.
Mardi Gras guide publisher Arthur Hardy says the consent decree shouldn't be a problem.
"NOPD will still be in charge," said Hardy. "If an arrest has to be made, it will be made by an NOPD officer, not an imported officer."
Hardy says with the city paying the costs, it is on the krewes to find willing officers who have the time around Mardi Gras to come to New Orleans.