“Louisianans shouldn’t have to live in fear when pumping their gas, getting groceries or walking in their own neighborhoods.”
MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Gov. Jeff Landry penned this op-ed in The Shreveport Times to explain how soft-on-crime policies have harmed Louisiana residents. Kennedy and Landry commended the state legislature for working to restore law and order in the state. This piece also appeared in The Daily Advertiser, Houma Today, The Daily Comet, The Town Talk, The News-Star, The Weekly Citizen and Daily World.
Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:
“Louisianans are some of the most hospitable, fun-loving people on earth, and they deserve to live in safe communities where their families can thrive. Yet in far too many parishes, rampant crime has left families too scared to pump their own gas or sit with their children on their front porches.
“This crime wave didn’t appear overnight. It was written into law. The Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Act, a legislative package former Gov. John Bel Edwards championed seven years ago, prioritized the comfort of violent criminals over the safety of Louisiana families. It shortened prison sentences, reduced penalties on repeat offenders and expanded parole options for suspected criminals—all while trying to paint criminals as ‘misunderstood.’
“Look where we are now: Louisiana has the second-highest homicide rate and three of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country. Criminals steal one car every hour in some parts of our state. Unless we make the necessary changes, an estimated one out of every 14 Black men under age 35 in New Orleans will be murdered.
“As leaders, we cannot sit on our hands and allow failed policies to tear apart more Louisiana families. That is why the Louisiana Legislature’s Special Session on reducing crime was so important.”
. . .
“What you allow is what will continue. Under the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Act, criminals in Louisiana knew they can destroy property, steal cars and shoot people without facing any serious consequences. And Louisianans live in fear because they knew these criminals wouldn’t face any consequences, too.”
. . .
“Louisianans shouldn’t have to live in fear when pumping their gas, getting groceries or walking in their own neighborhoods. This special session was the first step to taking back our streets and empowering our citizens.”
Read the full op-ed here.
