Governor-elect Jeff Landry says his administration will team up with the Orleans Parish District Attorney to combat crime in the city of New Orleans.
During a press conference at the Superdome on Wednesday, Landry said the Louisiana Attorney General's Office will handle cases involving arrests made by state police or agencies working under state police direction.
"The attorney general (will) assist in the prosecution of criminal cases in the city of New Orleans," Landry said. "It's our hope--both (District Attorney) Jason (Williams)'s and my hope--that this new partnership will assist in restoring the rule of law to this city and provide victims the justice they deserve."
It's the first step Landry is taking to fulfill a campaign platform of reducing violent crime in Orleans Parish. Williams says he's all for it.
"He sees it as important. He knows that the economic health, the public health, the public safety of New Orleans is crucial to the entire state," Williams said.
Williams said he's willing to work with Governor-elect Landry's despite their political differences. In fact, Williams says Landry is helping fulfill two of his wishes: more state police presence in the city and more experienced prosecutors working in the courthouse.
"This governor-elect has rolled up his sleeves and figured out what those obstacles are, and he's figured out a way to deliver that," Williams said. "I'm here today to stand with him and to stand with the new attorney general to make it really, really abundantly clear that partnerships like this have to become the norm and not the exception."
Related
