New Orleans officials express confidence in their security plans for the upcoming Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, despite concerns following a New Year's Day attack. The city is taking steps to bolster security, including increased police presence, upgraded barriers, and the hiring of a security consultant.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans officials projected confidence in their security plans as the city prepares to host the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras in the aftermath of a terror attack that killed 14 people on New Year’s Day and questions linger over security lapses. “We know that we’re ready but guess what? We’re wanting to double down on those efforts just to make sure,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said a Friday press conference.
City officials say they have been working for more than two years to prepare for the Super Bowl and will have around 400 city police officers present along with other local, state and federal authorities. The 11th Super Bowl hosted by New Orleans on Feb. 9 is expected to draw an estimated 100,000 visitors to the city, according to Collin Arnold, director of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Mardi Gras on March 4. also brings thousands onto the streets. At Cantrell’s request, Mardi Gras was recently upgraded to Homeland Security’s highest security event rating, allowing for more federal resources. The New Orleans Police Department hired former New York Police Commissioner William J. Bratton as a consultant this week and are in the process of bolstering security protocol. Multiple investigations are now reviewing how an Islamic State-group inspired attacker was able to drive his F-150 truck onto one the city’s famed Bourbon Street and plow into New Year’s reveler’s. A lawsuit alleges the city and multiple contractors failed to instigate security measures that could have prevented or mitigated the attack. Cantrell said the city is in the process of assessing its security barriers and engaging in mechanical upgrades, including bringing in more steel Archer barriers to block vehicles from traveling down sidewalks. Bollards — protective steel columns — being installed on Bourbon Street for the Super Bowl are“We’re going to make sure the best is what we give towards the city of New Orleans, looking at all equipment,” Cantrell said. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick declined to provide specifics on the city’s Super Bowl safety plan which she said the NFL’s security team was “confident in.” Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño indicated the city is pulling out all the stops: “Let’s prepare and use whatever means financially and we’ll worry about that after the fact.” Council President J.P. Morrell sought to reassure anxious visitors ahead of the Super Bowl and Mardis Gras that New Orleans will continue to offer “the greatest hospitality in America.” “We are still that place, you will still be welcomed, you will still enjoy everything New Orleans has to offer.
SECURITY SUPER BOWL MARDI GRAS NEW ORLEANS ATTACK
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Orleans New Year's Day Attack: Suspect Killed, 10 Fatalities in Vehicle RammingA vehicle driven at high speed into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans' French Quarter on New Year's Day resulted in 10 fatalities and 30 injuries. The suspect was killed during a shootout with police. The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism.
Read more »
New Orleans New Year's Day AttackA vehicle rammed into a crowd in New Orleans' French Quarter on New Year's Day, killing 10 people and injuring 30. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police. The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism.
Read more »
New Orleans mayor says New Year's Day incident was a 'terrorist attack'A vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' famed Canal and Bourbon Street in the first hours of New Year's Day. The FBI is investigating the incident.
Read more »
New Orleans New Year's Day Attack Leaves 10 DeadA vehicle drove into a crowd of revelers in New Orleans on New Year's Day, killing 10 people and injuring 30. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Read more »
New Year's Day Attack in New Orleans Being Investigated as TerrorismA driver killed 10 people and injured 30 in a pickup truck attack in New Orleans' French Quarter on New Year's Day. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Read more »
New Year's Day Truck Attack in New Orleans Kills 10A man intentionally drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 10 and injuring dozens. Police killed the driver in a shootout. Authorities are investigating it as a possible act of terrorism.
Read more »