Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill intends to open a full review into the security planning surrounding the Sugar Bowl and New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, particularly focusing on the deadly attack on Bourbon Street that left 14 dead and numerous others injured. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the temporary barriers that were in place on Bourbon Street, which failed to prevent a truck from entering the area and causing havoc. Murrill plans to announce the formal review, with the support and cooperation of New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
The temporary metal barriers on Bourbon Street were put in place as part of a project to replace old bollards with stronger stainless steel bollards in November. The project was still ongoing when the attack occurred on New Year’s Eve. Official recommendations for security measures in the French Quarter, as part of a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project that began in 2017, included the installation of new bollards on Bourbon Street to prevent potential mass casualty events. These recommendations also included street cameras, a central command center, better lighting, and high-quality bollards similar to those used near government buildings.
Former FBI official Bill Daly, a security and risk management adviser, noted that the temporary barricades used on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans did not provide the same level of protection as originally intended and designed in the 2017 report. This oversight allowed for the tragic events to occur on Bourbon Street. In comparison, Daly pointed out that cities like New York City use more substantial measures such as cement blocks and vehicles like garbage trucks to effectively block off areas like Times Square during large events. The FBI stated that there were no other suspects involved in the New Orleans attack.
In addition to Murrill’s planned investigation, some city council members have also expressed interest in conducting their own investigations into the security measures in place during the attack. Murrill has been in contact with City Council member Helena Moreno and District Attorney Jason Williams, among others, to discuss plans for the full security review. The goal is to understand what measures were taken or overlooked and what changes need to be made to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Murrill’s office has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Overall, the focus on the security planning and measures surrounding the Sugar Bowl and New Year’s Eve in New Orleans has intensified following the deadly attack on Bourbon Street. Questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the temporary barriers, highlighting the need for a thorough review of security protocols and improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future. Both the Attorney General and city officials are committed to understanding what went wrong and making necessary changes to enhance security in the popular tourist area.
