The scene of the recent mass shooting in New Orleans was an “extremely soft target” due to a lack of security measures, according to a former senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“This was an extremely soft target. It was an outdoor area with no security personnel present, and the attacker had an easy walk in and out of the scene,” said Elizabeth Neumann, a former Deputy Under Secretary of DHS.
Neumann, who served in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2020, was speaking to reporters on Tuesday.
She noted that the attack on Bourbon Street, which left multiple people injured and one person dead, highlights the need for enhanced security measures at public events.
“We need to be thinking about how we can prevent these kinds of attacks in the future. We need to be thinking about how we can make our public spaces safer for all Americans,” Neumann said.
Neumann’s comments come as authorities in New Orleans are still investigating the motive behind the shooting and gathering evidence from the scene.
In the meantime, city officials are reviewing security protocols and considering implementing new measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Neumann’s warning is not the only one. Other security experts have also pointed out that the attack was an opportunity to rethink the city’s approach to public safety and security.
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the city and has left many residents and visitors alike wondering what can be done to prevent similar attacks in the future.
