After a New Year's Day terrorist attack hit New Orleans' historic French district, city officials say they are confident in the security plans being introduced for Sunday's Super Bowl.
More than 125,000 visitors, including President Donald Trump, will crown the NFL champions of this season due to clashes between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles this week, for days of joy , it is expected that the situation will converge in Big Easy this week.
Security has sparked multiple lawsuits and investigations following an ISIS-inspired truck-driven attack that killed 14 people and injured dozens more on Bourbon Street, one of the city's most famous boulevards. It is done.
However, city, NFL and law enforcement officials claim they are ready to play the host after more than a year of preparation.
“We're beyond what we've seen in the past when we were hosting before,” Mayor Latoya Cantrell said.
“We know we're safer than ever.”
What does security seem like?
About 2,000 law enforcement officials told reporters Wednesday that New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick would attend the Super Bowl.
Vehicle traffic is not permitted on Bourbon Street, and the city will block intersections leading to the most popular areas, Kirkpatrick said.
Security guards have to “strengthen” in Trump's visit announced Tuesday, and the city “needs to close a few more additional streets to provide him with a safe corridor.” Cuprate said.
Drones are banned in downtown New Orleans and above Superdomes, with flight restrictions up to 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) for the days leading up to the game, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Noel Curtin, supervising airline source for the Transportation Security Bureau, said the armed federal aviation source will be stationed around the city's transportation hub to scan for suspicious people and activities and protect the drones.
The Super Bowl event will spread far beyond the stadium and across the neighbourhood, and Homeland Security Investigation says it is a special New Orleans agent responsible for Eric DeLan, who leads federal security coordination. Ta.
The federal agency will bring rooftop snipers from the FBI to the Secret Service and will place armored SWAT vehicles in the stadium, French districts and downtown, Delaune said.
No one is allowed within the cordoned area surrounding the unqualified super dome. The city has also already begun to close and restrict traffic on roads near the stadium.
The boundary includes an explosion barrier, and the truck is necessary to pass through the giant X-ray machines normally used at border intersections, Delaune said.
Delaune said dozens of technicians, more than 100 engineers and more than 100 bomb-spraying dogs were able to wash 400,000 square feet (37,161 square meters) and more than 70,000 seats each, according to Delaune. We are making efforts over and over.
“They go from top to bottom of that building to make sure it's clear and safe. They open all the doors and check under all the seats,” Delaune said. I said.
Much of the security infrastructure will be carried over to the Mardi Gras season, when upgraded to the highest risk assessment of homeland security to receive more talent and resources.
How New Year's Attacks Changed Security Plans
Multiple lawsuits have alleged that city officials are aware of Bourbon Street's vulnerability to truck-run attacks made by Shamzddinjabar, inspired by Islamic State Group.
He drove an F-150 around a police car parked as a makeshift barricade and plowed pedestrians before crashing and being killed by police.
A bollard system of steel pillars installed to block vehicle traffic was replaced at the entrance to Bourbon Street during the attack.
Even if completed before the Super Bowl, officials said they are doing well.
Officials say it has brought more types of physical barriers to protect entry points resulting from concerns that the new bollard system is not strong enough to block vehicle attacks.
The NFL and federal and city agencies have “put a fresh eye on” plans since Jean. 1, Delaune said the New Orleans Police Department hired New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton and his team from the well-known security company Teneo.
“There are no specific or reliable threats,” NFL security chief Cathy Lanier said Wednesday.
In January, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ordered the removal of multiple homeless camps near the stadium, moving dozens of unpopular people to temporary shelters.
He also announced the creation of “enhanced security zones” along Bourbon Street, booking Super Bowl weekends and deploying 350 national security guards.
After authorities discovered that Jabber had planted ice chests containing French quarter improvisation explosive devices, Laundry declared a ban on coolers and ice chests in these areas, and Bourbon Street Zone over Super Bowl weekend We ordered a mandatory search for bags for those who enter.
Firearms containing unauthorized hidden carry guns will be allowed on Bourbon Street, according to state law, but city and state police say.
“Liquor and firearms don't mix,” Kirkpatrick said, adding that officers will monitor anyone “carrying in negligence” such as pushing the gun into the waistband instead of the holster.
“People wouldn't be very wise to bring firearms into our hospitality area,” Kirkpatrick said.
“Don't do that, you don't have to be in charge of it.”
AI and mobile apps play a security role
SuperDome owner ASM Global has signed up with Dataminr, a New York-based artificial intelligence company, to monitor potential and emerging threats in real time.
The company will be drawn from sources of over a million public data across 150 languages, from social media to dark web forums to traffic cameras, said Robert Crowley, Dataminr's chief executive.
Dataminr uses the generated AI to create notes warning superdome officials about trend patterns. For example, the influx of posts showing inflated crowds and public turmoil.
“You can sew all these little pieces of the puzzle together and get a total, comprehensive view of what happened,” Crawley said.
“The faster you know what's going on, the better you can do.”
Visitors can also report suspicious activity and receive security updates in the city's NOLA Ready Public Safety app.
