Story perspectives

New Orleans Murder Rate Halves Before National Guard Deployment

1/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Murder counts in New Orleans declined from 266 in 2022 to 121 in 2025.
The decline occurred before U.S. President Donald Trump deployed 350 National Guard troops to assist law enforcement.
Local officials say crime had been falling for years, countering Trump's claim that deployment caused the drop.
Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick supports Guard presence ahead of Mardi Gras and urges expanding patrols beyond the French Quarter to offset understaffing.

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Story summary

Murder counts in New Orleans declined from 266 in 2022 to 121 in 2025.
The decline occurred before U.S. President Donald Trump deployed 350 National Guard troops to assist law enforcement.
Local officials say crime had been falling for years, countering Trump's claim that deployment caused the drop.
Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick supports Guard presence ahead of Mardi Gras and urges expanding patrols beyond the French Quarter to offset understaffing.