BATON ROUGE — While the results of Operation Violent Crime Takedown in Baton Rouge are promising, Gov. Jeff Landry says this is only the beginning of what’s to come in reducing violent crime in the Capital Area. Standing alongside local law enforcement, city leaders and federal agents, Gov. Landry unveiled how this initiative has started the ball rolling on “stemming the violence that’s been going on too long.”
The initiative is modeled after Troop NOLA, a specialized Louisiana State Police unit created in 2024 to combat crime in New Orleans. Using that approach, the governor, District Attorney’s Office, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and Baton Rouge Police Department partnered with federal agencies to launch a similar crime-reduction strategy in Baton Rouge.
The local operation coincided with the FBI’s Operation Summer Heat, part of a national crackdown on violent crime. FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp said more than 30 coordinated operations targeted gangs across the parish.
“We targeted the Vultures, Bleedas, 60 Gang and TBG gangs, whose members are responsible for murders, drug trafficking and robberies across the city and parish. We hit them hardest in the four neighborhoods they call home,” Tapp said.
The Baton Rouge operation resulted in a reduction of violent gang activity and saw more than 100 arrests. In addition, the following are only some of the seizures related to the operation, with other narcotics like methamphetamine also taken off the streets:
- 100 firearms
- 32 machine gun conversion devices
- over 690 grams of fentanyl
- 6,200 ounces of marijuana
- 41 ounces of synthetic Mojo
- over 3900 grams of cocaine
- nearly a quarter of a million dollars in cash
“The majority of the people arrested face multiple charges, and this is just the beginning of our collaborative-intensified focus on violent crime and gangs here,” Tapp continued.
Baton Rouge Police have already reported a significant drop in violent crime citywide. Robbery, homicides, shooting incidents, and most property crimes are all down, according to the latest year-to-date statistics.
Major violent crime is down more than 8%, with the largest declines in robbery and sexual offenses. Shooting incidents have also seen double-digit decreases. Year-to-date data also shows a 22% drop in shooting incidents and a 20% drop in shooting victims.
Homicides were also down nearly 18%.
“This is just the beginning”
Landry emphasized that while he’s excited for the progress made in Baton Rouge, the work isn’t done.
“It’s important for the people of the city of Baton Rouge to understand this is just the beginning. We will bring whatever resources are necessary to this city and continue to work with our federal partners in order to stem the violence that’s been going on for far too long,” said Landry.
District Attorney Hillar Moore said he went to Gov. Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill in 2024 to request more resources and help from the state in his work in East Baton Rouge Parish.
“I said that I’m drowning and I really need help—I really need some federal help. And because, trust me, when the federal authorities are around, the people on street know that they’re around and they’re taking action. You can hear it and you can see it,” Moore said at the conference.
The governor said that the state will start issuing more warrants to Moore’s office to help with retaining prosecutors on staff. The warrants are supplements that the state grants a district attorney to assist with paying attorneys.
While it’s been rumored, Landry said there is no plan to put a “Troop BR” in place at this time.
“We’ve got a great one. It’s called headquarters. We got a big one. I mean, look, if there’s any place that doesn’t need another troop, it’s actually right here. I mean, we have two of them. We got two of them in the headquarters,” he said.
Baton Rouge isn’t the only city that will see a partnership among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Other parts of the state have been identified and will also see similar crime initiatives put in place, however, those locations have not been publicly announced.
Aside from law enforcement efforts, the next step to keeping Baton Rouge safe is up to the judges and the court system. To keep the community strong and safe, the judges must set the necessary bonds to keep dangerous people off the streets and out of the neighborhoods, Landry said.
As far as meeting any specific goals in fighting crime in the Capital City, Landry didn’t have an exact number in mind, but instead a hopeful view of what Baton Rouge neighborhoods could look like.
“When we can go into Glen Oaks…and people are smiling and not scared to go outside, and kids can play in the street, it would be a great day.”
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