The tourist industry in New Orleans has agreed to fund $2.5 million beyond the Mardi Gras season to arrest a worrying surge in violent crime.
Traditionally, Louisiana State Police patrols are beefed up during Mardi Gras but tourism leaders have pledged funds to continue with a more visible police presence on the streets through the busy spring season.
The move is aimed at calming the fears of residents and tourism business owners in the French Quarter after a spate of robberies and shootings.
Since November, there have been more than 60 robberies and earlier last year Bourbon Street was sprayed with bullets during a gunfight, killing a tourist and injuring nine other bystanders.
The extra funding was announced by Stephen Perry, president of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and will kick in after Mardi Gras on February 17, until the spring.
Perry said several big conventions are due in town during the spring, along with annual events including the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
"We are running more than 90% hotel occupancy every weekend," Perry said.
