The deadly New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans has highlighted vulnerabilities after protective barriers were removed from Bourbon Street weeks earlier for renovations. The barriers, known as bollards, were replaced as part of preparations for the Super Bowl in February.
Nobody. https://t.co/viDiSnhZko
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) January 2, 2025
New Orleans’ Finest
“we put up a barrier but would you believe the terrorist went around it ?” Same group “it’s not a terrorist attack although we found IEDs and isis flags” Same group “Go out and enjoy your day”. 3 hours later then find 3 unexploded devices and 1 exploded pic.twitter.com/3fNPsUFztM
— MontanaMan (@RyplCO) January 2, 2025
The attack claimed 14 lives when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a pickup truck into a crowded area before being killed in a police shootout. Jabbar, who converted to Islam years earlier, targeted the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets in the heart of the French Quarter.
The New Orleans Police Superintendent said she didn’t know about the city’s sidewalk barrier defense against terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/BXWtDhYwxK
— SchultzX99 (@SchultzX99) January 3, 2025
"New Orleans had access to effective anti-vehicle barriers ahead of the Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s Eve revelers that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more, but the city did not deploy those barriers until a day after the carnage.”
https://t.co/P7U4nx0zyZ— David Shellenberger (@DEShellenberger) January 3, 2025
Installed in 2017, the original bollard system was designed to prevent vehicular access to crowded streets. However, malfunctions, including damage from Mardi Gras celebrations, prompted the city to remove and replace them in November. Temporary barriers proved inadequate, as Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick admitted. “The terrorist defeated our plan,” she said.
A Chicago alderman is calling for new barrier requirements for all street fairs and festivals in the city, in the wake of the deadly New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans and the attack at a German Christmas market earlier this month. https://t.co/FQqstLPKeg
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) January 2, 2025
Our church, in a small safe Republican town, installed cement barriers 10 years ago to prevent anyone from driving into parishioners going into the church. New Orleans can't keep people safe? @Democrat Must be voted out of office
— Nikias_Devrim (@NikiasDevrim) January 3, 2025
One witness questioned why the barriers were not operational during such a high-profile night. “They weren’t up, so you still kind of had to watch your back for cars,” the individual said.
🚨BREAKING NEWS: New Orleans Terror Attack Tragedy Inspires ABC, Guardian to Demand Sidewalk Barrier Equality
In a stunning display of investigative bravery, the ABC and The Guardian have bravely pivoted from covering the gruesome New Orleans truck attack to a pressing question:… pic.twitter.com/ZM3qS5o8Ql
— mdtlion (@mdtlion) January 2, 2025
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) suggested stronger security measures, such as additional blocking vehicles, could have made the attack more difficult. “We can Monday-morning quarterback this, but we must close every weak point,” he told ABC News.
City Council President Helena Moreno downplayed the absence of the barriers, stating the attacker would have found another method. However, criticism of the timing and execution of the renovation project continues to mount.
