As a host city for Super Bowl Lix, New Orleans expects to welcome more than 100,000 visitors to the 9th February game between Kansas city leaders and Philadelphia Eagles. At least a million more people will celebrate Mardi Gras, the city’s largest tournament annually, less than a month later.
But a terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve, which killed 14 people and injured dozens of more for the bourbon street tourist road, has thrown a palm over the city.
Since then, local, state and federal officials have tried to reassure visitors about the city’s security for Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. New or extensive security attempts are planned, including airspace and assigning more Plainclothes officers. In addition, the Ministry of Homeland Security, the Federal Organization responsible for public security, including anti -disaster prevention, upgraded the security of the city’s Mardi Gras parades in the highest score, which allows for additional funding and funding. resources. Super Bowl had already been evaluated at the highest level.
“We are doing everything we can to deal with the gaps that the New Orleans Police Station and Louisiana Police may have,” said Eric Delaune, a specialist Agent with DHS investigations on paternal security leading the federal coordination For Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
According to the Investigative Security Investigation Office, security efforts for both events will include special agents on roofs and crowds, SWAT team members in standby mode, surveillance drones, additional security cameras around the city, armored vehicles Mounted in key points, K-9 officers with bomb dogs and patrols along the Mississippi River. Information analysts will also work to identify potential threats.
During the Super Bowl and the relevant events, agents will focus on the neighborhoods near Caesars SuperDome: the warehouse area and the French district. During the Mardi Gras, efforts will be more widespread throughout the city.
The Internal Security Investigation Office and the New Orleans City have refused to provide specific law enforcement officers who will be a duty between local, state and national organizations, but in a statement that the city stated that the New Orleans Police Department ” staffed at 100 percent. “
Inspector Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Service said at a press conference on January 10 that local police would have “all hands on the deck” during the Super Bowl and, in combination with state and federal entities, there will be “hundreds and hundreds of officers. “
“With absolutely all law enforcement officers you will see out there for Super Bowl, you will think you are in a sea of ​​blue,” the inspector said.
In addition to foot patrols, the city installs a new bollard system and temporary archers-heavy duty barricades-to block popular roads, including Bourbon Street, from vehicles. Bourbon Street was where a man driving a truck fell to dozens of feasts at the beginning of New Year’s Eve after avoiding a parked police cruise ship. The bollars were installed in 2017, but some were dysfunctional and under repair. The new project for Bollars is expected to continue until February.
Earlier this month, the state began to remove the homeless camps near SuperDome and the French Quarter, a costly, controversial effort made before the influx of visitors arrived.
Super Bowl security
Super Bowl reception courts have a safety perimeter three times the size of a regular season game and the superDome will be protected from a 300 -foot perimeter, according to Tim Schlittner, a representative of the national football organization. He added that multiple layers of security will include input checkpoints and fences around the stadium.
The safe areas of the NFL will include SuperDome, the experience of Super Bowl at the New Orleans Conference Center-described by the NFL as a “theme Park”-and other smaller events approved by the championship.
The NFL’s clearly -clear political bag will apply: only bags made of pure plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches from 12 inches, although fans are encouraged not to carry any bags. Online, a list of forbidden objects includes banners, signs, food and drinks, selfie sticks and noisemakers.
For Mardi Gras, a new security name
However, Mardi Gras is an extensive series of events in many neighborhoods over several weeks. Its nature can exert more pressure on the city’s security device.
Mr Delaune said the upgrading of Mardi Gras this year at a Sear 1 event gives us the opportunity to operate at a higher level and to ensure that the community are needed to give these resources. “
Can be received by visitors individual precautions
Historically, New Orleans had the rumor that it was a city struggling with crime. But last year, violent crime in the city fell to the lowest levels since 2019.
Nevertheless, visitors are advised to take the same precautions as with the trip to other urban areas: Be careful for wallets, do not walk alone at night, stay up to date with your environment, have the identity of you and keep your drink in the look.
“As in any other city, you must have your head on a rotation and pay attention,” Mr Delaune said. “Are you standing in a place where you are exposed to pass the traffic? Are you in a place that is not well enlightened? “Also recommend that you make sure your mobile is charged.
It would be prudent to allow the extra time to go through the improved security that visitors will now experience. Staying with a team is also a good idea as it makes a plan before you start and share this plan with others.
For friends and family to keep track of your place, use a site sharing service like Life360, “Find” on the iPhone or “Personal Security” on Android or Google Maps.
“Let people know where you go and tell someone who is not where you go and what is your plan,” said Seth Krummrich, Vice President of Customer Risk Management for Global Guardian security company and retired military colonel used to live in New Orleans.
Mr. Krummrich also recommends that you have two or three output strategies – “If something happens, I go this way” – and the creation of a place and meeting time, if someone in your team loses or loses the mobile their.
As always, you drive sober and defensively. “After 11 pm in New Orleans, I personally have to assume that a quarter of the drivers out there is forgotten,” he said.
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