The NFL has moved to calm concerns raised by worried fans about Super Bowl LIX after the shocking terrorist attack in New Orleans on Wednesday.
During New Years Eve celebrations, a man intentionally drove a truck through a crowd of people on Bourbon Street at 3:15 am local time, killing at least 10 people and injuring at least 30, in an incident that has been called a terrorist attack. Football fans raised concerns in the aftermath of the attack with the Super Bowl being hosted in the city on Feb. 9.
But the NFL stated: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the devastating incident in New Orleans. Our thoughts are with the victims, the New Orleans community and all those affected.
“The NFL and the local host committee have been working collaboratively with local, state and federal agencies the past two years and have developed comprehensive security plans. These planning sessions will continue as they do with all major NFL events, and we are confident attendees will have a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience.”
The incident has hugely impacted the security preparations for the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 1. The college football showpiece is set to take place on Thursday after being postponed. No. 2 Georgia and No. 5 Notre Dame face off just two miles from the French Quarter where the attack occurred.
Its reported that work taking place ahead of the Super Bowl in New Orleans saw a set of security barriers that were installed in 2017 to prevent terrorist attacks along Bourbon Street being replaced at the time of the attack.
The removable stainless-steel bollards are designed to be securely locked at each crosswalk along Bourbon Street between Canal and St. Ann streets, according to Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration. The work began in November and was scheduled to last three months with the old bollards being removed and replaced.
However, according to Bob Simms, who oversaw security initiatives for the French Quarter Management District, the old barriers never worked as well as intended. They were very ineffective. The track was always full of crap; beads and doubloons and God knows what else. Not the best idea, Simms said. Eventually everybody realized the need to replace them. Theyre in the process of doing that, but the new ones are not yet operational.
Simms added that the old barrier at the crosswalk of Canal and Bourbon streets was removed a few weeks ago. Simms said that equipment for a replacement is in place before he added: “They’re doing it in time for the Super Bowl. It’s ironic in a way.”
Leave a Reply