The Louisiana National Guard is leaving New Orleans after a monthslong deployment.
City of New Orleans Director of Communications Jonah Gilmore said that operations will officially end on Monday, Aug. 24. The last day the National Guard will be in the city is Monday, Aug. 31.
The National Guard deployed to New Orleans to assist with security operations in the French Quarter during the one-year anniversary of the Bourbon Street Terror Attack, as well as Carnival Season.
Landry announced in March that the U.S. Department of War had authorized a six-month extension of the Louisiana National Guard’s security mission in the New Orleans area to continue supporting state and local law enforcement partners.
Approximately 120 Louisiana National Guard Soldiers were in the city.
According to the Louisiana National Guard, as of Monday, guardsmen conducted 4,126 patrols totaling 31,162 patrol hours. Soldiers participated in 401 significant activities, assisted law enforcement with 171 arrests, supported 48 de-escalation incidents and provided first aid on 103 occasions, according to the Guard.
Over the course of the operation, New Orleans’ 8th Police District, where Louisiana National Guard Soldiers conducted patrols and security operations, experienced reductions in several violent crime categories compared with the same period in 2025. Homicides decreased 87%, from 15 to two; simple robberies decreased 31%, from 13 to nine; armed robberies decreased 13%, from eight to seven; and aggravated batteries decreased 12%, from 17 to 15. These changes occurred amid a broader multi-agency public safety effort involving local, state and federal partners throughout the district.
During the mission, Guardsmen assisted law enforcement with crowd disturbances, medical emergencies, and arrests of wanted people.
The Guard’s departure has garnered mixed reactions from people who live and work in the French Quarter.
A street musician said the soldiers had a positive impact.
“To be able to come out here and know that help wasn’t far away if something was to go wrong, I’m thankful for them,” Deverick Francois said. “Troop NOLA and New Orleans Police and everybody else that’s out here to protect the citizens.”
Longtime New Orleans resident Hal Maston said the soldiers’ presence helped to deter crime.
“All you have to do is show up and show a presence, because violence is a crime of opportunity, and the more presence you put out there the less opportunity you see,” he said.
Others had mixed feelings about the Guard’s presence. David Rubenstein, owner of Rubensteins on Canal Street, said he was grateful to the soldiers for their work, but does not think their departure will make a big impact.
“I think that we have enough great leadership that, for holidays or events they might bring them back if they need it, but basically our police department has really enhanced its presence on the street and has taken care of all the problems that we have,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll miss them to be perfectly honest.”
Some members of the unhoused population are happy to see the soldiers leave.
Väinämöinen Leisti is unhoused and works as a tarot card reader in the French Quarter. He said the soldiers’ presence, coupled with an anti-sleeping law passed earlier this year, made his life harder.
“They are not here to prevent crime, they’re here to walk around and do nothing, up until the point when it comes time to wake up homeless people, which to me seems like pointless torture,” he said.
According to the Guard, soldiers also worked directly with LSP Troop NOLA and the NOPD to adapt patrol locations and security operations based on changing conditions throughout the French Quarter.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the Guardsmen who participated in the New Orleans security mission,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, Adjutant General of Louisiana in an issued statement. “Our Soldiers brought presence, professionalism, law enforcement skills, and a sense of safety to citizens and visitors, alike. This mission enhanced coordination and cooperation with our law enforcement partners which will pay dividends in the future.”
“I’d like to thank President Donald Trump and Major General Thomas Friloux for their hard work and commitment to make the City of New Orleans safe. This mission, though temporary, allowed our great Soldiers readiness training that they otherwise would not have experienced. Their effort, along with Troop NOLA, has made the city the safest it’s ever been,” said Gov. Jeff Landry in an issued statement.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno issued the following statement regarding the deployment ending:
“We are incredibly grateful to the men and women of the Louisiana National Guard as they prepare to conclude their eight-month deployment in New Orleans,” said Mayor Helena Moreno. “While this deployment is ending, our partnership is not. The Guard has always been an integral part of major events like Mardi Gras, working alongside our public safety agencies to keep our city safe. These past eight months have only strengthened that longstanding partnership. We thank every Guard member and their families for their service and sacrifice, and we look forward to continuing to work together for years to come.”
New Orleans in 2025 had the lowest crime in decades, and this year is still pacing to have historic lows in violent crime.
READ MORE:Louisiana National Guard operations in New Orleans end
