NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As crowds of Taylor Swift fans move in, New Orleans' homeless community moves out. Despite plans for a Thursday sweep, Louisiana State Police Troop NOLA, per the order of Governor Jeff Landry, conducted a sweep of the homeless encampment under the Pontchartrain Expressway alongside Calliope Street Wednesday morning. "I'm going to move down there," said Krissi Fox, who lived at the encampment. "I don't have anywhere to go. When you don't have anywhere to go, that tent is a big deal." With the help of other state agencies, like the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, troopers instructed people to pick up their belongings, or else, it would be done for them. Some were fortunate enough to have options. "I got a pastor that's helping me,” one woman said. "A good one.” New Orleans officials issue traffic advisory ahead of Taylor Swift concerts New Orleans City Councilwoman Lesli Harris says she had a conversation with the Governor’s Office on Friday, Oct. 18, in which she expressed her concerns about the sweep but believes she and Nathan Fields, the director of the Office of Homeless Services and Strategy, were ignored. One of Harris’ concerns is that those who lived at the homeless encampment are being moved to an area behind the Superdome where Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour makes its New Orleans debut on Friday. "As you concentrate poverty or homelessness, we know that disputes break out," Harris said. "So, I'm really concerned about the people being concentrated into one area, and of course this isn't the way the city would want things to happen." Louisiana State Police released the following statement: LSP Troop NOLA aims to support the unhoused community in New Orleans by engaging directly with individuals to understand their needs. Recognizing the challenges of immediate housing availability, LSP is collaborating with the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), Louisiana Department of Health, Wildlife & Fisheries, the State Fire Marshal, and Probation and Parole to create safe alternatives and reclaim public spaces. 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. Southbound lanes of Causeway Bridge reopens following crash Harris maintains that the sweep throws a wrench into the city's ongoing efforts. She says most of the people who were living at the encampment had already secured housing choice vouchers and were to be moved by Thanksgiving. According to the councilwoman, a sweep isn't the help the state thinks it is. "If they had come with additional case workers and resources of even hotel vouchers to put people in for this Taylor Swift weekend, then I could see that as help, but this does not help at all," Harris explained. "It just puts more pressure on the case workers that we have." Those who live near the former encampment aren't convinced either. "Moving them is not the answer," said neighbor Kenshatta Major. "What's that going to do? Because at the end of the day, they're going to come right back." New Orleans case workers will now work to locate those who secured vouchers, Harris said. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Dejounte Murray reportedly fractures hand in Pelicans' regular season opener Brandon Ingram scores 33, and the Pelicans beat the Bulls 123-111 without Zion Williamson New Orleans airport hosts welcomes visitors for Taylor Swift concerts DNA links suspected serial killer to 19-year-old's cold case murder in Illinois Ron Ely, TV's 'Tarzan' in the 1960s, dies at 86