The New Orleans Police Department is ramping up its law enforcement presence as the city prepares to host the Sugar Bowl following a terror attack on Bourbon Street. The playoff game was postponed for one day due to the incident.
Police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has assured the public of a significant increase in officers and staff patrolling the streets, particularly Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. Kirkpatrick emphasized that the department is deploying hundreds of personnel to ensure public safety during the event.
In response to the attack where the perpetrator circumvented a police cruiser blocking Bourbon Street by driving onto the sidewalk, Kirkpatrick stated that measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. She mentioned plans to utilize heavier equipment to fortify vulnerable areas and enhance security.
“We are staffing up at the same level, if not more so, than what we were preparing for the Super Bowl,” Kirkpatrick stated during an interview on the Today show.
The incident involved Shamsud-Din Jabbar driving his truck around the police cruiser to gain access to Bourbon Street. The police department is now focused on bolstering security measures to protect against similar breaches.
The increased law enforcement presence and enhanced security measures aim to reassure residents and visitors attending the Sugar Bowl that their safety is a top priority for the New Orleans Police Department.
