Blanco calls in National Guard
I saw the headline yesterday about the violence in New Orleans, but it didn't seem worth commenting on. Apparently, Nagin has realized that his police force isn't enough and has asked for reinforcements:
NEW ORLEANS - Gov. Kathleen Blanco ordered National Guardsmen to help police patrol the city for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, following a bloody weekend that brought fears of crime disrupting the city's delicate reconstruction.
At Mayor Ray Nagin's request, Blanco ordered 100 troops — and committed to send 200 more soon — and 60 state police troopers to head to the city Tuesday to support the Police Department. Six people were killed over the weekend, including five teenagers in one incident.
"The situation is urgent," Blanco said. "Things like this should never happen, and I am going to do all I can to stop it."
Blanco said reinforcements would cycle in-and-out of the city. No deadline has been set for their mission, which did not require a special order because Louisiana is still under a state of emergency 10 months after Katrina hit on Aug. 29.
The violence itself is not unusual - New Orleans has a long history of such problems. But calling in the guard to assist is an unusual move for a city administration that also has a history - one of being slow to act.
You think Cindy Sheehan will decry Blanco's "occupation" of New Orleans?
