Baton Rouge mayor outlines violence prevention plans following mall shooting
Edwards says anti-violence initiatives are weeks away from launch as police seek person of interest in deadly Mall of Louisiana shooting
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Baton Rouge police are still waiting to talk to a person of interest in the Mall of Louisiana shooting as Mayor Sid Edwards works to finalize violence prevention priorities in response to the incident.
Edwards wrapped up a meeting to find ways to help intervention programs in the city before the summer. He addressed the status of some anti-violence initiatives.
“I’m not the mayor to come in and cut anything that’s good for kids. That’s not the deal,” Edwards said.
Edwards set the record straight on program funding in his office.
“They never were in the budget. Those programs were funded with federal funds through grants, and the grants expired,” he said.
Edwards said his office of violence prevention has been working on some initiatives for more than a year and is about a week or two away from kicking off.
The potential launch comes after the deadly Mall of Louisiana shooting. 17-year-old Matha Odom was killed, and five others were hurt.
Despite that, violent crime is down in the city, but Edwards is hoping to get more boots on the ground.
“I’m not talking about the guard. It’s mainly getting, can we get some help. Can state police help? Can state police work accidents to free up my officers to go out there and be proactive,” he said.
That would be extra help for a Baton Rouge Police department that recently received a big pay raise but is short on officers.
The mayor’s hope is to add to the ranks and have officers continue to be out in the community while being there to help kids know they don’t have to turn to the streets.
“If you want to change a life. If you want to save a young man or young woman, you can do it and it requires no money,” Edwards said.
The mayor’s overall strategy is expected in the next week or so. He also plans to meet with mall management next week to talk security.
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