New Orleans Sees Crime Drop, But Is the National Guard the Reason?

New Orleans has seen a drop in violent crime for the third year in a row. This news comes just as National Guard troops start patrolling the city. The troops were sent by President Donald Trump. Local leaders had been against this idea for months. They argued that crime was already going down. They also said that the National Guard isn't trained to fight crime. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick now supports the troops. She says their presence might help deter crime. She also said she doesn't care who gets the credit for the drop in crime. Trump approved sending 350 National Guard members to Louisiana. This happened after Governor Jeff Landry asked for help. Trump said the Guard's presence helped lower crime. He also wondered why governors wouldn't want help. Landry said troops were needed due to high crime rates. But local officials said crime has been dropping for years.Since 2022, murders, shootings, and robberies have gone down. In 2022, New Orleans had the most murders per person in the country. But in 2025, the number dropped to 121. This includes 14 people killed in a New Year's Day attack. The National Guard is only patrolling the French Quarter. But Kirkpatrick wants them in other crime hot spots. She says the city's police force is understaffed. The mayor-elect, Helena Moreno, initially opposed the Guard. But now she welcomes their help during Mardi Gras. Experts say crime is dropping in many U. S. cities. This trend started after the COVID-19 pandemic. So, is the National Guard really the reason for the drop in New Orleans? Or is it part of a bigger trend?