Homeless people to be relocated before Taylor Swift concerts in New Orleans

Before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour touches down in New Orleans this weekend, Louisiana’s governor ordered multiple state agencies to relocate homeless people living in or around areas where tourists and concertgoers may frequent.
Swift is set to perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans. In preparation for the “Bad Blood” songstress’ three-night concert and Super Bowl LIX in February, Gov. Jeff Landry’s office told USA TODAY it is “committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its best foot forward when on the world stage.”
Sweeps to displace homeless people in New Orleans began this week, local media reported. An encampment of roughly 75 people were moved a couple blocks away.
Louisiana State Police (LSP), in collaboration with the state wildlife department as well as the transportation department, said its objective is to “create safe alternatives and reclaim public spaces,” according to a statement emailed to USA TODAY on Wednesday by LSP Sgt. Kate Stegall.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries seemingly echoed LSP’s messaging in an email to USA TODAY.
“At the direction of Governor Jeff Landry, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) aims to support safety in the New Orleans community through upholding the laws of the state,” Taylor Brazan, spokesperson for the State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said in the email.
Troop NOLA, a specialized unit founded by Landry and Colonel Robert Hodges in 2024, will assist in carrying out the governor’s order.
“LSP Troop NOLA aims to support the unhoused community in New Orleans by engaging directly with individuals to understand their needs,” the LSP’s statement to USA TODAY reads. “This initiative seeks to minimize disruption while also addressing safety concerns. It’s important to note that residing on state property is illegal, and Troopers are committed to ensuring the safety of both the unhoused and the broader community while maintaining public infrastructure.”
LSP Troop, which works closely with the New Orleans Police Department, was created to enhance “public safety and quality of life in New Orleans,” according to the police’s website.
Nathaniel Fields, director of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office of homeless services and strategy, said during an Wednesday news conference that Landry should stop the sweeps and find an alternative option, local media reported.
Fields and other city officials argue that the state clearing the unhoused is preventing New Orleans’ ongoing efforts to find housing for this population of people and families.
“We are asking the governor to not perform the sweeping of this encampment and other encampments,” Fields said, per the Times-Picayune. “We’re asking them to work with us and be a part of the partnership and not part of the problem.”