2015 LA Governor's race: on Crime

David Vitter: More community crime tips; more DNA testing; more options

• Explore all short-term options to arrest the crime wave in New Orleans which threatens statewide tourism and job growth.
• Develop effective crime-fighting strategies like greatly increasing rewards for tips from the community.
• Implement best practices from other states to expand GED and skills training opportunities in prison, and cost-effective work release and monitoring programs.
• Require inmates to craft post-release plans that outline potential employment along with help from family, churches, and others that they will pursue immediately upon release, and tie any paroles to strict adherence to these plans.
• Focus and target resources on mental health evaluation and treatment so that we get effective help to persons with these disorders, reduce recidivism, and prevent them from clogging the criminal justice system.
• Prioritize testing all DNA evidence at Louisiana crime labs to ensure rapists and other violent criminals are caught immediately

David Vitter: Keep state police presence in New Orleans' French Quarter

"Violent crime is out of control in the city of New Orleans and the top reason is lack of leadership in the city of New Orleans," he said. Vitter went on to say New Orleans police had deteriorated and been mismanaged under Landrieu. Unless there was a leadership change in the city, the state would have to step up with extra resources. "I think his lack of leadership has let NOPD get to this point," said Vitter. "We are going to have to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, that's not going to turn a corner immediately."

Jay Dardenne: Let New Orleans police itself; remove state police sometime

Edwards was the most emphatic about establishing a timeline for state police withdrawal. Dardenne and Angelle were a bit more speculative about when the troopers should be pulled out of New Orleans.

"I am convinced that this is the appropriate solution for now," said Dardenne. "I don't know that it is going to go on indefinitely

Still, U.S. Sen David Vitter broke with the rest of the pack, saying the Louisiana State Police should have a permanent detail in the French Quarter. He doesn't have confidence that Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the New Orleans Police Department would be able keep a lid on crime without the extra help.

John Bel Edwards: Let New Orleans police itself; remove state police soon

"No great city is going to be great for long if it doesn't have the adequate ability to police itself," said state Rep. John Bel Edwards, the only Democratic candidate running for governor.

Edwards, Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne agreed the extra state troopers in the French Quarter are needed now. But New Orleans should probably provide the additional law enforcement itself eventually. Edwards was the most emphatic about establishing a timeline for state police withdrawal. Dardenne and Angelle were a bit more speculative about when the troopers should be pulled out of New Orleans.