Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry authorized authorities constabulary to statesman clearing a bum encampment adjacent New Orleans’ Superdome, wherever 150,000 group are expected to spell spot Taylor Swift concerts this weekend.
About 75 group surviving successful a shelter encampment connected Calliope Street nether nan Pontchartrain Expressway were relocated astir 2 blocks away, Louisiana State Police said.
Landry’s spokeswoman, Kate Kelly, issued a connection to section media saying nan move was meant to reside homelessness and information issues successful mentation for nan upcoming Taylor Swift concerts connected Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and February's Super Bowl.
"Governor Landry understands nan number 1 rumor facing nan metropolis of New Orleans correct now is nan homelessness crisis, and he is moving pinch LSP and section officials to hole this problem," Kelly said. "As we hole for nan metropolis to big Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its champion ft guardant erstwhile connected nan world stage."
NEW ORLEANS SWIFTIE BOOKS 191 HOTEL ROOMS AHEAD OF CONCERT
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents assistance authorities constabulary arsenic they springiness instructions to group surviving successful a bum encampment to move to a different pre-designated location arsenic they execute a expanse successful beforehand of a Taylor Swift performance successful New Orleans connected Wednesday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Officials successful New Orleans, however, criticized nan sweep, arguing it would disrupt advancement successful uncovering long-term, imperishable lodging for those affected.
About 75 bum group lived successful nan encampment and were relocated astir 2 blocks away. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
"We are asking nan politician to not execute nan sweeping of this encampment and different encampments," Nathaniel Fields, head of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategy, said during a property convention connected Tuesday. "We're asking them to activity pinch america and beryllium a portion of nan business and not portion of nan problem."
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Others surviving without shelter successful nan city’s tourist-dependent French Quarter vicinity would besides beryllium moved to nan aforesaid location arsenic nan bum removed from adjacent nan Superdome, officials said.
City officials successful New Orleans opposed nan relocation of nan bum astatine nan encampment, arguing it would disrupt advancement successful uncovering long-term, imperishable lodging for those affected. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Resident Andy Levin told WWL-TV that nan move was necessary, acknowledging it arsenic a impermanent solution to a chronic problem facing nan metropolis and its community.
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"When you person this ample a attraction of group who are addicted to narcotics and mentally ill, they spell into nan neighborhood," Levin said. "You find them defecating there, doing drugs, having sex, location is simply a man complete location urinating correct now. It's unstainable … and moving these group from nan constituent of position of nan organization of Central City is necessary."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.