08-04-2025
Bourbon Street should be for pedestrians only, counterterrorism expert says
A majority of Bourbon Street should be closed to vehicles, according to WWL's coverage of a long-awaited report from counterterrorism experts about how to make New Orleans safer.
Why it matters: It's a controversial move that would change life for residents, businesses and visitors in the French Quarter.
The big picture: The report, which WWL's Mike Perlstein obtained before it was made public, recommends permanently closing the first eight blocks on Bourbon to vehicles.
Other suggestions include changing how officers are deployed during Mardi Gras and removing all trash cans from parade routes to prevent bombs, Perlstein writes.
Zoom in: The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation hired Teneo, led by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, to advise the city on counterterrorism after a man drove a truck through Bourbon Street on New Year's Day, killing 14 people and injuring 57 more.
Teneo's report looked at the city's actions, Perlstein says, and was critical of NOPD's use of intelligence to plan for potential threats, calling such capabilities "significantly underdeveloped relative to the complexity of threats faced by the city."
The report also says the city needs better coordination with federal and state agencies.
What's next: City leaders on Monday said they are in the process of reviewing the recommendations in the 43-page report.
