Edwards Won't Send National Guard To New Orleans To Cope With Crime Wave

Gov. John Bel Edwards says he doesn't plan to send the state National Guard to New Orleans in response to the crime wave.

The question came up Monday as Edwards spoke to a luncheon audience in the city.

He started by talking about the special session coming up on Wednesday.

When someone asked him about the National Guard, Edwards said the guardsmen are soldiers, not police officers.

He said he's spoken with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell about violent crime and she hadn't asked him to send in the Guard.