New Orleans Had Multiple Barriers to Protect Pedestrians, But ISIS-Inspired Attacker Was Still Able to Cause Devastating Harm
The city of New Orleans was seemingly well-prepared to protect its pedestrians on Bourbon Street, but despite having multiple barriers in place, a man inspired by ISIS was still able to use a pickup truck to ram into and harm revelers celebrating the new year.
According to officials, the city had a plan to protect the popular tourist destination, but the attacker was able to find ways to bypass the barriers and strike the victims. The ISIS-inspired attacker drove around the barriers and onto the sidewalk, where he was able to speed away with a trail of death and destruction.
Several witnesses, including longtime residents and tourists, reported that the portable steel barriers, which can be raised or lowered depending on traffic, were not in place at the time of the attack. Surveillance footage shows the truck driving over one of these barriers, which was not erect, and speeding away after narrowly missing partygoers.
In the aftermath of the attack, officials have faced numerous questions about the effectiveness of the barriers, which were touted as a key part of the city’s plan to keep Bourbon Street safe. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick acknowledged that the city had a plan, but the attacker was able to find a way to defeat it.
The city has been working to improve its security infrastructure, including the installation of mechanical and portable barriers. However, construction on new, removable stainless-steel bollards along several blocks of Bourbon Street was not yet completed at the time of the attack. The bollards, which were being installed to close the street to traffic when needed, could have potentially prevented the attack.
The city’s police department has faced criticism for being caught off guard by the attack, despite knowing that vehicular terrorism is a real and present danger. In a 2019 report, a private security consulting firm warned about the high probability of mass shootings and vehicular attacks in the French Quarter.
As the city works to recover from the devastating attack, officials are acknowledging that existing protocols are weak and in transition. The city’s plan to improve its infrastructure, including the installation of new bollards, will be a top priority ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl and Mardi Gras celebrations.
