NEW ORLEANS (AP) — More than 170 Louisiana state troopers are headed to New Orleans as the city prepares for the final and busiest weekend leading to Mardi Gras.
Gov. John Bel Edwards committed the manpower from across the state to supplement troopers already working in the city. Troopers will be assigned to the French Quarter and surrounding metro area, primarily focusing on patrols, criminal investigations, crowd control and traffic control.
The weekend parades, including Endymion, Bacchus and Orpheus, draw huge crowds to the city and officials say extra help is needed.
The non-stop party culminates on Fat Tuesday, which this year falls on March 5.