Louisiana GOP Gov. Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency due to a police officer shortage.
Landry's executive order issued Thursday lifts limits on how many new employees Louisiana sheriffs can hire and on payroll increases for their departments.
Landry, who previously had a career in law enforcement, said that police departments in the state are experiencing record-low employments “resulting in increased crime and less public safety.” As of July, sheriff's offices statewide were down 1,800 deputies, Landry said.
Maybe they should look at reducing crime from the start, instead of just attacking it after its already underway. Better schooling and other social programs, maybe? Give people people enough prosperity so that they'll have something they want to protect, instead of having nothing to lose.