National Guard Deploys in New Orleans for New Year's Security Post-Attack

Enhanced Security Measures for New Year's Eve

• 🛡️ National Guard troops have arrived in New Orleans to bolster safety for New Year's Eve and the Sugar Bowl, nearly a year after a significant attack.
• 👮 Close to 800 local and state police officers will be on patrol, with a strong visual presence planned for the French Quarter and downtown.

Federal Support and Infrastructure Upgrades

• ⚠️ The city's request to reclassify New Year's Eve and the Sugar Bowl as higher-level security events (beyond SER 3) for increased federal support was denied by the Department of Homeland Security.
• 🚧 Physical security has been upgraded with the installation of a swinging metal gate to close Bourbon Street to vehicular traffic from sunset to sunrise on New Year's Eve and January 1st.
• 🚗 Parts of Decatur Street will also be closed starting at 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, with potential closures of other streets based on crowd size.

Public Safety Reminders and Lessons Learned

• 📢 City leaders are reminding the public to report suspicious activity, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and sign up for the city's alert system.
• 🚨 The city aims to prevent a recurrence of the January 1st mass casualty event on Canal and Bourbon Street, leveraging all law enforcement and public safety resources.
• 🗓️ National Guard troops are expected to remain in New Orleans through at least mid-February, covering Mardi Gras.