BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office has lifted the curfew for East Baton Rouge parish residents following the recent flood. 

The curfew was issued for the parish after Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order requested by East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux as a way to combat looting while residents recover from last week's devastation. 

"As Sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish, and as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Parish, I have taken a sworn oath to serve and protect all the residents of the parish and to do my best to protect life and property. The decision I made to enact a curfew was done so to accomplish both. It was a decision I did not take without considerable thought and prayer," Gautreaux said.

The curfew was issued on Aug. 16 through Aug. 22 and was initially from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The curfew was later changed to midnight to 6 a.m. Gautreaux said that the forecast "looks promising," cell service has been restored allowing residents to call for emergency services and the long recovery process has begun. 

Gautreaux said that the curfew was also to allow for first responders to move about freely in assisting residents.

"The curfew allowed first responders to safely do their jobs, and it allowed residents to safely survey their damage and recover what items they could from their homes without criminal activity. It has also given first responders a chance to catch their breath and deal with their own losses," he said.

Gautreaux thanked residents and the Governor for honoring the curfew during a time when many have been affected.

"I am proud to serve this great parish with remarkable residents. Working together, with God's help, we will endure, survive and come out stronger. Thank you to the community for the unselfish support you have given in our greatest hour of need," he said. 

"I want to personally thank Governor John Bel Edwards for his remarkable support and leadership and for giving me the ability through the executive order to enact this curfew," Gautreaux said.