Louisiana leaders call for new federal funding for local law enforcement

The fatal shootings of three lawmen last month paralyzed Baton Rouge and further shook a nation already reeling from episodes of mass gun violence. But on top of the human loss, the attack triggered a state of emergency for local law enforcement agencies that strained limited resources.

Dozens of deputies arrived from around Louisiana, providing backup to an exhausted city police force and Sheriff’s Office already working around the clock to contain the unrest following the shooting death of Alton Sterling by police on July 5, 12 days before the three officers were killed and others wounded by Gavin Long.

“They just showed up,” Col. Mike Edmonson, the State Police superintendent, said of the unscheduled reinforcements.

As in the wake of a hurricane or terrorist attack, the price tag of the deployment seemed immaterial at the time, secondary to ensuring public safety and restoring a semblance of normalcy. But in the weeks since then, Louisiana elected officials increasingly have called upon the federal government to pick up the tab.

Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/baton_rouge_officer_shooting/article_249c4a0e-600d-11e6-9d2c-c3b1f95cfb3e.html