Latest news with #NewOrleansPoliceandJusticeFoundation
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
New report pushes for permanent pedestrian-only Bourbon Street to boost Mardi Gras safety after terror attack
New Orleans' most famous street could soon see sweeping changes if city leaders follow through on bold new safety recommendations after a New Year's Day attack that killed 14 and injured dozens. On Monday, the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) released a statement about a major safety review conducted by Teneo Risk, a global security firm led by former NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton. The report is blunt. Bourbon Street is dangerously vulnerable, and unless big changes are made, the city remains exposed to future attacks. At the top of the list? Turning Bourbon Street into a permanent pedestrian zone. According to the report, vehicles pose a serious threat to the crowds that gather daily in the French Quarter. Saints Legend Drew Brees Among Many Praising Increased Safety Measures At Super Bowl Lix The current layout of Bourbon Street makes it easy for a vehicle-ramming attack to happen again. The report recommends a hard perimeter setup that would only allow emergency vehicles, deliveries and hotel drop-offs at certain times. According to the report, "Bourbon Street is extremely vulnerable to a vehicle ramming attack any time of year," citing narrow sidewalks, frequent pedestrian spillover into the street and a lack of permanent protective barriers. The firm also said the Department of Homeland Security's "SEAR 1" rating, given to Mardi Gras 2025 for the first time, should be made permanent. That rating brought more federal resources to New Orleans this year, including extra security equipment and personnel. The report claims those resources were essential to protecting the public and should be in place every a city of around 400,000 residents, Mardi Gras weekend can easily welcome over 1 million visitors from around the General Pam Bondi To Travel To New Orleans To Survey Super Bowl Lix Security Read On The Fox News App In addition to the Bourbon Street changes, the report highlights weaknesses in emergency response access, officer staffing, coordination between agencies and the city's intelligence capabilities. Teneo found intelligence gathering by the New Orleans Police Department remains mostly reactive and lacks advanced tools and formal coordination protocols. The report was based on extensive research, including site visits, document reviews and interviews with city officials, law enforcement and community members. Teneo observed security operations firsthand during the 2025 Super Bowl and Mardi Gras 2025 and used those events to evaluate real-time article source: New report pushes for permanent pedestrian-only Bourbon Street to boost Mardi Gras safety after terror attack
Fox News
10-04-2025
- Fox News
New report pushes for permanent pedestrian-only Bourbon Street to boost Mardi Gras safety after terror attack
New Orleans' most famous street could soon see sweeping changes if city leaders follow through on bold new safety recommendations after a New Year's Day attack that killed 14 and injured dozens. On Monday, the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation (NOPJF) released a statement about a major safety review conducted by Teneo Risk, a global security firm led by former NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton. The report is blunt. Bourbon Street is dangerously vulnerable, and unless big changes are made, the city remains exposed to future attacks. At the top of the list? Turning Bourbon Street into a permanent pedestrian zone. According to the report, vehicles pose a serious threat to the crowds that gather daily in the French Quarter. SAINTS LEGEND DREW BREES AMONG MANY PRAISING INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES AT SUPER BOWL LIX The current layout of Bourbon Street makes it easy for a vehicle-ramming attack to happen again. The report recommends a hard perimeter setup that would only allow emergency vehicles, deliveries and hotel drop-offs at certain times. According to the report, "Bourbon Street is extremely vulnerable to a vehicle ramming attack any time of year," citing narrow sidewalks, frequent pedestrian spillover into the street and a lack of permanent protective barriers. The firm also said the Department of Homeland Security's "SEAR 1" rating, given to Mardi Gras 2025 for the first time, should be made permanent. That rating brought more federal resources to New Orleans this year, including extra security equipment and personnel. The report claims those resources were essential to protecting the public and should be in place every a city of around 400,000 residents, Mardi Gras weekend can easily welcome over 1 million visitors from around the GENERAL PAM BONDI TO TRAVEL TO NEW ORLEANS TO SURVEY SUPER BOWL LIX SECURITY In addition to the Bourbon Street changes, the report highlights weaknesses in emergency response access, officer staffing, coordination between agencies and the city's intelligence capabilities. Teneo found intelligence gathering by the New Orleans Police Department remains mostly reactive and lacks advanced tools and formal coordination protocols. The report was based on extensive research, including site visits, document reviews and interviews with city officials, law enforcement and community members. Teneo observed security operations firsthand during the 2025 Super Bowl and Mardi Gras 2025 and used those events to evaluate real-time vulnerabilities. While the proposal for a permanent pedestrian zone could raise concerns of residents and business owners, Teneo said the change is the best way to protect pedestrians and prevent another attack. The report explains that any other alternative would still leave parts of Bourbon Street HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe NOPJF said in its statement, "We Have Not Forgotten," and it seeks to honor the victims of the Bourbon Street attack in its findings.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Consultants recommend Bourbon Street be made pedestrian-only, officials weigh in
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Months after the New Year's terror attack, a new report is recommending that Bourbon Street become pedestrian-only permanently. It's something New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says is out of her hands, pointing to the mayor and the city council. 'The bigger question is before the city itself, and they must make some decisions regarding the level of closures that are acceptable to this city and this community,' said Kirkpatrick. However, Kirkpatrick says the department has already begun implementing necessary recommendations that don't need approval, such as placing more barriers and officers in the French Quarter. Suspect in March 4 homicide arrested a month later: New Orleans police 'We have the ability with the rivets to raise or lower bills in those barriers so they can be quickly moved, making sure that the officers who are working out there are trained on that, and they have accesses,' said Kirkpatrick. The report suggested that the only vehicles that should be allowed in the area are emergency vehicles and trucks delivering to businesses during a certain time of day. Consultants also cited the lack of officers able to respond to a threat, but that is a recommendation the chief won't budge on. 'If you do not and should not be a police officer. I will not allow you to be hired. We're doing what we can to hire the right people without compromise,' said Kirkpatrick. Darrah Schaeffer with the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation says he is thankful for the report. He agrees it should be up to city leaders, to decide how to best implement the recommendations. 'There are a lot of questions that have to be addressed, and I'm sure that the city council, the mayor's office, and nobody will think through all of those and come up with good solutions,' said Schaefer. Kirkpatrick said she does agree with the need for a fusion center, which will allow agencies to share information to prevent future crimes or lottery player claims he was cheated out of $95 million jackpot win Doctor accused of 'battering' teen patient at Mandeville-area psychiatric facility Exclusive: Pence calls Trump's tariff policy a potential midterm liability for GOP Metairie man found guilty in child porn investigation Warm and sunny Thursday on the way Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Most of Bourbon Street should be closed to cars following New Orleans truck attack, report recommends
Most of New Orleans' Bourbon Street should be closed off to vehicles, creating a permanent pedestrian plaza, a report recommends, three months after a truck plowed into a New Year's Day crowd, killing 14 people. The report released by the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation said an 'elevated threat environment demands a new security approach for the French Quarter for everyday business operations.' The tragedy took place in the city's bustling French Quarter, which had no strong barriers to protect the area from speeding vehicles like that 6,000-pound truck, CNN previously reported. It came years after a private security consulting firm warned in a 2019 report that the risk of terrorism in the French Quarter – specifically mass shootings and vehicular attacks – remained 'highly possible while moderately probable.' That report strongly recommended safety structures known as bollards –– vertical posts that can be anchored in place or move up and down –– be fixed and improved 'immediately.' In addition to the missing sturdy bollards, which were under repair, the city's portable steel barriers were in the down position during New Year's celebrations, CNN previously reported. This story is developing and will be updated.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Most of Bourbon Street should be closed to cars following New Orleans truck attack, report recommends
Most of New Orleans' Bourbon Street should be closed off to vehicles, creating a permanent pedestrian plaza, a report recommends, three months after a truck plowed into a New Year's Day crowd, killing 14 people. The report released by the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation said an 'elevated threat environment demands a new security approach for the French Quarter for everyday business operations.' The tragedy took place in the city's bustling French Quarter, which had no strong barriers to protect the area from speeding vehicles like that 6,000-pound truck, CNN previously reported. It came years after a private security consulting firm warned in a 2019 report that the risk of terrorism in the French Quarter – specifically mass shootings and vehicular attacks – remained 'highly possible while moderately probable.' That report strongly recommended safety structures known as bollards –– vertical posts that can be anchored in place or move up and down –– be fixed and improved 'immediately.' In addition to the missing sturdy bollards, which were under repair, the city's portable steel barriers were in the down position during New Year's celebrations, CNN previously reported. This story is developing and will be updated.
