New Orleans suffered a devastating attack on New Year’s Day, resulting in 14 deaths. Authorities revealed that malfunctioning security bollards had not been installed due to ongoing repairs, raising significant concerns about public safety measures in preparation for upcoming events like the Super Bowl.
Security Oversights Revealed After Deadly New Year's Attack in New Orleans
Security Oversights Revealed After Deadly New Year's Attack in New Orleans
Key street barriers were disabled for repairs prior to a tragic incident that claimed 14 lives in the French Quarter.
New Orleans was rocked by tragedy on New Year’s Day when a truck was driven into a crowd in the bustling French Quarter, leading to 14 fatalities and injuring dozens more. Authorities revealed that the security bollards, intended to protect pedestrian areas from vehicle attacks, were removed for repairs just before the incident. These posts were undergoing renovations as the city prepared to host the NFL Super Bowl on February 9.
Bollards, which can be made from materials like concrete or metal, are crucial for blocking vehicles from areas teeming with pedestrians. Christopher Raia of the FBI described the incident as an act of terrorism. Despite a police vehicle being stationed at an intersection, the perpetrator circumvented the barricade and drove onto the sidewalk. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, met his demise during the attack.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick acknowledged that authorities were aware of the bollard malfunctions and had taken security precautions. "We did indeed have a plan, but the terrorist defeated it," she stated. In response to the assault, authorities are enhancing security measures for the upcoming Sugar Bowl American football game. The city plans to reopen Bourbon Street just before the event while implementing additional protective steps.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell confirmed that bollard installations had been ongoing for more than a decade. However, clogs caused by Mardi Gras beads had led to their inefficacy, prompting officials to prioritize repairs ahead of major events. Ms. Kirkpatrick insisted that other protective measures remained in place during the attack, including the presence of officers and barricades; yet the attacker still managed to bypass these defenses.
Experts underscore the challenges of preventing vehicles from penetrating secured areas, pointing to the force of a speeding truck. "Even with bollards in place, would the car just - through physics - have rammed through them anyways?" lamented Javed Ali, a counterterrorism expert at the University of Michigan.
Additionally, a report from 2017 highlighted the French Quarter as a high-risk area for terrorist activity. The neighborhood, densely populated with pedestrians, remains a significant focus for law enforcement institutions. Investigations are underway as authorities determine whether Jabbar acted alone or if others were involved in planning the assault.
Bollards, which can be made from materials like concrete or metal, are crucial for blocking vehicles from areas teeming with pedestrians. Christopher Raia of the FBI described the incident as an act of terrorism. Despite a police vehicle being stationed at an intersection, the perpetrator circumvented the barricade and drove onto the sidewalk. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, met his demise during the attack.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick acknowledged that authorities were aware of the bollard malfunctions and had taken security precautions. "We did indeed have a plan, but the terrorist defeated it," she stated. In response to the assault, authorities are enhancing security measures for the upcoming Sugar Bowl American football game. The city plans to reopen Bourbon Street just before the event while implementing additional protective steps.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell confirmed that bollard installations had been ongoing for more than a decade. However, clogs caused by Mardi Gras beads had led to their inefficacy, prompting officials to prioritize repairs ahead of major events. Ms. Kirkpatrick insisted that other protective measures remained in place during the attack, including the presence of officers and barricades; yet the attacker still managed to bypass these defenses.
Experts underscore the challenges of preventing vehicles from penetrating secured areas, pointing to the force of a speeding truck. "Even with bollards in place, would the car just - through physics - have rammed through them anyways?" lamented Javed Ali, a counterterrorism expert at the University of Michigan.
Additionally, a report from 2017 highlighted the French Quarter as a high-risk area for terrorist activity. The neighborhood, densely populated with pedestrians, remains a significant focus for law enforcement institutions. Investigations are underway as authorities determine whether Jabbar acted alone or if others were involved in planning the assault.
