The city of New Orleans had various methods in place to safeguard pedestrians on Bourbon Street, but none of them were able to prevent a man inspired by ISIS from using a pickup truck to ram into pedestrians ringing in the new year. In the aftermath of the attack that claimed at least 14 lives and injured many more, officials have been grappling with questions about the effectiveness of barricades and bollards – different types of barriers that could have been utilized to block off Bourbon Street from vehicles – and why they failed to stop the attack early Wednesday morning. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated at a press conference that despite having a car, barriers, and officers in place, the terrorist managed to circumvent the security measures. Witnesses to the incident recalled that the portable steel barricades, which could be flattened or raised, were not properly deployed during the tragic event. Surveillance footage revealed the truck driving over a barrier that was not raised at the time, narrowly missing bystanders. Concerns were raised about the inadequacy of the barriers, with some describing them as easily movable. Following a previous vehicle ramming incident in Nice, France, the city had installed steel mechanical barricades in the French Quarter in 2017. The city had also implemented measures such as portable wooden and steel barricades, as well as police vehicles blocking roads. However, some locals noted that the steel barricades had rarely been seen in use. The city had plans to install new stainless-steel bollards along Bourbon Street, but some existing bollards were in need of repair, according to New Orleans City Councilmember Jean-Paul Morrell. The city continues to work on enhancing its security measures to protect pedestrians in high-traffic areas.
The bollards could be raised to close the street to traffic for pedestrian safety and lowered when open to vehicles. Construction for this project started in November and was scheduled to continue through February. During a city council meeting on Monday, a Department of Public Works official mentioned that construction equipment was cleared from Bourbon Street in preparation for New Year’s celebrations, following concerns from local businesses about the impact of the construction.
In a 2019 report from a security consulting firm, it was highlighted that there was a high risk of terrorism in New Orleans’ French Quarter, particularly regarding mass shootings and vehicular attacks, which were deemed “highly possible while moderately probable.” The report strongly recommended immediate improvements and fixes to the bollard system on Bourbon Street, as it was deemed ineffective.
Despite having temporary barriers that could have blocked access effectively, they were not utilized on the day of the attack. The report noted that the individual behind the attack circumvented the barriers by maneuvering onto the sidewalk, bypassing the police vehicles and repair barriers in place.
Councilwoman Lesli Harris expressed that the attacker seemed intent on causing harm to the community, regardless of the specific location of the attack, and praised law enforcement for their swift response. Discussions among New Orleans officials acknowledged the need for stronger and more consistent safety protocols, especially with major events like the NFL Super Bowl approaching.
Governor Jeff Landry emphasized that addressing these security concerns, including enhancing the bollard system, would be a top priority ahead of the upcoming events. Security experts stressed the importance of implementing adequate measures to address potential threats, with proper resources and planning being essential to ensuring public safety.
A wide range of security measures have been implemented to safeguard Bourbon Street, a popular thoroughfare in New Orleans. These measures include the installation of mechanical barricades along main routes and the use of vehicles to block off minor routes. Maintaining the security of Bourbon Street presents a complex challenge, as highlighted by CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Charles Ramsey during a recent statement.
Ramsey emphasized the delicate balance required to secure Bourbon Street effectively. While stringent security measures are essential to prevent unauthorized access and potential threats, it is equally important to ensure that emergency responders can navigate the area swiftly. Ramsey underscored the need for a flexible security plan that considers the diverse needs of businesses, residents, and visitors in the region.
“It’s complicated … you have to make sure threats can’t get in, but you also have to make sure emergency responders can get out,” Ramsey stated. “They’ve got to come up with a plan that really allows for some flexibility. You’ve got businesses there that need deliveries, it’s residential, you’ve got people that live in the area there. And so, to permanently shut it down is something that just doesn’t make a lot of sense, but at the same time you have to be very mindful that this is a target.”
In response to security concerns, officials took swift action to secure Bourbon Street. By Thursday afternoon, the street had been cleared for reopening after the deployment of additional barriers, specifically archer barriers, to restrict sidewalk access. These enhanced security measures aim to bolster the protection of Bourbon Street while minimizing disruptions to daily activities in the area.
CNN’s Evan Perez provided valuable contributions to this report, shedding light on the evolving security measures and their impact on Bourbon Street. For further updates and in-depth coverage, viewers are encouraged to visit CNN.com and create an account to access the latest news and newsletters.
