Mayor-President Edwards launches ‘Pray for the Parish' initiative in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — In a heartfelt call for unity and safety, Mayor-President Sid Edwards has launched a new community-wide initiative titled 'Pray for the Parish'—aimed at bringing East Baton Rouge Parish together through prayer and reflection.
The inaugural event kicked off on Thursday at the Raising Cane's River Center in downtown Baton Rouge, aligning with the National Day of Prayer. The gathering featured local leaders, residents, and clergy uniting in prayer for the parish's safety and future.
Mayor Edwards addressed a somber reality facing the city: while the summer break offers youth a time for rest and recreation, it also poses a risk for increased violence.
'We're going to keep not only our young people but all of the people of the parish safe,' Edwards told attendees.
Reflecting on his past as a football coach, Edwards shared an emotional statement.
'I was counting touchdowns as a coach, he said. 'Now I'm counting bodies. It keeps me up at night—I worry about it, especially our young people.'
This marks Edwards' fourth month in office. According to data from the City of Baton Rouge, homicides are currently down 23% compared to the same time last year. Still, Edwards emphasized that gun violence remains a critical issue.
'You know, people talk about a murder problem—yeah, we do. But there's a bullet problem too. Too many guns out there,' said Edwards.
'Pray for the Parish' is set to become a quarterly event, with gatherings planned every three months to continue fostering community connection and collaboration.
Former Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff echoed the initiative's mission, stating, 'If we can pray together, we can also get out here and address the crime problems together.'
Looking ahead, the Mayor's Office plans to roll out 10 to 12 youth engagement programs this summer, and local service members will be deployed to patrol neighborhoods in an effort to minimize crime and increase visibility.
Through 'Pray for the Parish,' Mayor Edwards hopes to spark not just spiritual healing, but lasting action.
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Mayor-President Edwards launches 'Pray for the Parish' initiative in Baton Rouge
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