State troopers will be on duty in New Orleans through May.
The New Orleans Advocate reports the move to stay beyond Mardi Gras is designed to ease public concerns about crime in the city.
State troopers will back up the short-staffed New Orleans Police Department through special events.
Colonel Mike Edmonson says the assignment will be reviewed when it’s completed to decide if the extra troopers will stay.
He says record crowds are expected for the French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest.
Edmonson says he plans to send 150 troopers to New Orleans, starting the weekend ahead of Fat Tuesday. They will include a plainclothes unit to target narcotics and weapons.