VIDEO-Louisiana Politician Calling To ‘Regulate’ the Cajun Navy Says People Have the Wrong Idea

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Over the last several weeks, the state of Louisiana has seen historic and catastrophic flooding. It’s estimated that over 60,000 homes were damaged, and 30,000 people were rescued. Thirteen have even been killed.

Then came the “Cajun Navy,” a band of volunteers with boats which travelled around the flood-ravaged state, saving “hundreds, maybe thousands” of people.

Now, people across the country are upset by one Louisiana state legislator whose proposed legislation they believe would regulate or restrict the ‘Cajun Navy.’

During an interview on radio station KPEL, state Senator Jonathan Perry (R) said something that made it appear as though he wants to regulate the volunteers:

“At the end of the day, there are going to be two things that are going to be the hurdle when you approach it from the state’s standpoint. Liability is going to be number one for them. They don’t want the liability of someone going out to rescue someone and then not being able to find them, and secondly, there’s a cost.”

WWL-TV alleges that Perry’s legislation “could require training, certificates and a permit fee to allow these Good Samaritans to get past law enforcement into devastated areas.”

The backlash was swift:

Perry quickly posted a video to his Facebook page in an attempt to clarify his intent:

The following is a partial transcript:

“About two weeks ago, I got a call from a good friend of mine in Church Point, Louisiana. He called me, and he said ‘JP, is there a way for us to be able to take restrictions–take them away, not put them up–but take away the restrictions that some of these volunteers are faced with when they launch their boats and basically go out and start rescuing?’

…the intent of what I want to do is completely unregulate it to where our volunteers are not stopped from going out…it’s all getting twisted around, like I’m trying to put a fee on it, like I’m trying to tax it, like I’m trying to require a permit.

…the liability can be as simple as someone signing a waiver prior to a natural disaster. That way, they’re allowed into that.

This is what happens if nothing takes place. Members of the Cajun Navy, or anyone else who wants to help, will continuously get stopped, and be prevented from rescuing people because under current law, if there is a barricade…and they’re told they cannot cross it. If they do, they technically are breaking the law. My goal is to eliminate that completely, so that the volunteers…have immediate access to go and rescue our people.”

The comments on the video were overwhelmingly positive, and even included a message from his legislative assistant (all images are Facebook screenshots):

Independent Journal Review spoke with Louisiana state Senator Norbert Chabert (R), who provided some more insight.

Chabert confirmed what Perry said about volunteer rescuers being denied access to flooded areas because of red tape:

“Senator Perry and I represent very similar areas. My area has flooded catastrophically more times than just about any in the state. I got a hundred calls, people reaching out to me that were members of this ‘Cajun Navy,’ saying the authorities are not allowing them to help in the rescue effort.”

He added that there is a program in place by which business owners or first responders can register with their parish, and get a certification that allows them to bypass emergency zones.

“I’m going to assume that’s where Perry was going with this. I don’t think he in any way intended for this backlash to occur where it made it sound like he was saying ‘No. Unless you’ve paid a fee, and registered, and eliminated liability, you can be the only person that gets out there to help.'”

He concluded by noting Perry’s credentials, and saying that he was very likely misconstrued:

“Jon Perry is a good man, and he’s well-intentioned. He’s a former law enforcement official. He knows the ins and outs of this stuff. He’s a small-government guy. It’s totally non-typical for him to put up further bureaucratic impediments that would hinder the effort of folks who have the best intentions.”

Independent Journal Review tried to contact Sen. Perry, but his mailbox was full, and no emails were returned.