Bourbon Street should be for pedestrians only, counterterrorism expert says
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Bourbon Street has new vehicle barricades at Canal Street after the New Year's Day terrorist attack. Photo: Michael DeMocker/Getty Images
A majority of Bourbon Street should be permanently closed to vehicles, according to a long-awaited report from counterterrorism experts about how to make New Orleans safer.
Why it matters: It's a controversial move that would change life for residents, businesses and visitors in the French Quarter.
The big picture: The report, which Axios obtained Tuesday, recommends closing the first nine blocks of Bourbon to vehicles, including the cross streets from Canal to Dumaine streets.
- "In our assessment, Bourbon Street is extremely vulnerable to a vehicle ramming attack any time of year," writes Teneo, the consulting firm that wrote the report. "With its status as a vibrant tourist and cultural hub, Bourbon Street embodies Western decadence and economic vitality, making it a prime target in the eyes of extremists seeking maximum impact."
- Teneo, led by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, suggested making allowances for emergency vehicles, deliveries, hotel drop-offs and "other essential services."
Another game-changing recommendation is closing vehicle traffic in both directions on Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue for parades.
- The serpentine course used last Mardi Gras on St. Charles doesn't adequately protect parade-goers and impedes emergency response, the report said.
Zoom in: Other recommendations include...
- Using more vehicle barricades that are crash-rated to stop vehicles.
- Removing trash cans near parade routes that could hide IEDs.
- Relocating port-a-potties to keep people waiting in line out of traffic.
Catch up quick: The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation hired Teneo on behalf of NOPD to advise the city on counterterrorism after a man drove a truck through Bourbon Street on New Year's Day, killing 14 people and injuring 57 more.
Zoom out: Teneo's report proposes substantial changes for NOPD, primarily in how it gathers and uses intelligence, calling the current system "significantly underdeveloped relative to the complexity of threats faced by the city."
- NOPD should create a centralized intelligence hub and equip it with AI-driven threat detection, Teneo suggests.
- The firm also says NOPD should improve its video surveillance capabilities, including adding the option to livestream footage from officers' body-worn cameras.
What they're saying: "[We] must approach the report with a critical eye, balancing reform with reality, compassion with accountability, and justice with progress," the Police and Justice Foundation said in a statement Tuesday night.
What's next: NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick is holding a press conference at 10am Wednesday to discuss the report.
- Melania Talia, president and CEO of the Police and Justice Foundation, will speak as well, NOPD says.
- Meanwhile, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and council members are reviewing the 44-page report, according to City Hall.
Go deeper: Full report
Editor's note: Axios obtained a copy of the report, which was first reported on by WWL's Mike Perlstein. Details have been updated throughout the story.