The city of New Orleans has transformed into a fortress of security as the Super Bowl crowds start to gather.
The skies above the French Quarter are filled with helicopters, while Louisiana National Guard members patrol the streets, their M4 rifles a stark contrast to the Hand Grenade cocktails held by revelers. The city's law enforcement presence is impossible to ignore, with heavy metal barricades, bollards, arches, and wedges scattered across the Vieux Carre, often manned by soldiers. Federal homeland security agents and state agents are also on guard, some equipped with tactical off-road Polaris vehicles.
According to American Military News, the security measures have been ramped up in response to a tragic incident on New Years Day, when a radicalized Army veteran from Texas drove his F-150 down Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring dozens more. Now, over 2,000 federal, local, and state officers are stationed in the area to ensure the safety of the massive crowds expected for Sundays big game, says New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
I dont know of any city right now with this level of infrastructure with the exception of New York, Kirkpatrick stated. Were very excited about this week, and were really quite prepared.
The security apparatus extends beyond the visible obstacles in the French Quarter. Officials reveal that anti-drones, threat analysts, snipers, and an extensive network of high-tech cameras with advanced AI capabilities are among the tools being used. Both covert and overt teams are in and around the downtown area, said Tonya Barrett, assistant special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations.
The transformation of the Quarter into a hardened security zone was evident on Wednesday. Surrounding Bourbon Street, National Guard soldiers staffed wedge barriers blocking street access. Some barriers even served as makeshift snack tables stocked with bottled water, Chee-tos, and paper sacks from Cafe du Monde.
David No Chill Pilioski, a pedicab operator, expressed mixed feelings about the heightened security. Right now, were seeing more workers and staff than visitors. And I have mixed feelings about the National Guardthese young people holding M4s, Pilioski said. He noted that the physical barriers erected in response to the attack have significantly altered how he and his colleagues operate.
The bollards we had before the Super Bowl were like Swiss cheese, Pilioski said. We could get around the side. Right now, securitys much tighter.
Kirkpatrick announced that Bourbon Street would have a hard closure from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., during which it will become essentially for pedestrians.
The security measures, both seen and unseen, are standard for the Super Bowl and would be in place regardless of the Jan. 1 attack, according to Jim Hayes, a retired senior agent with the Department of Homeland Security. Hayes explained that many of the unseen security measures revolve around threat intelligence, including monitoring of social media networks leading up to the game.
The aim is to see what people are saying about the Super Bowl, the attitude about the Super Bowl, he said. Theyre investigating even minor threats that may be made electronically.
The security will be further tightened now that President Donald Trump plans to attend the game on Sunday. This has prompted police to initiate Superdome street closures from Loyola Avenue to Galvez Street earlier than planned, NOPD said.
Youre going to have Secret Service more heavily involved in the screening. Youre going to have a sitting President in the venue, Hayes said.
While some, like Pilioski, fear that the military checkpoints and other obstacles will impact their business, others are optimistic. Antonio David, who works at Truffoire Gourmet Skin Care on Decatur Street, said he expects a lot of customers, despite the hassles.
It feels safe. Its a little bit harder (to get to work), but its fine, David said. Were excited for the Super Bowl.
The heavy military presence doesnt prevent all transgressions in the Vieux Carre, but it does promise swift response times. On Wednesday, a state police SWAT team responded within moments when a man followed a woman into a coffee shop at Decatur and Barracks streets and grabbed her from behind.
The woman, Amy Qi of New Orleans, was surprised and heartened by the swift response. When police came super quicklyI didnt think that would happen, Qi said. I feel really safe here.
As the city prepares for the Super Bowl, the heightened security measures serve as a stark reminder of the threats that exist, but also as a testament to the city's resilience and commitment to safety. The city's law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to ensure that the game and its festivities can be enjoyed by all, free from fear.
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