With just over a month left until the Super Bowl is scheduled to be held at Caesars Superdome on February 9, New Orleans tourism officials and those planning the mega-sporting event have announced that the announced that it would review its security system in response to the Bourbon Street incident. Attack on New Year’s Day.
The suspect, identified by the FBI as 42-year-old Shamsud Din Jabbar, drove his truck into people drinking on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, killing 10 people and injuring dozens more. . According to the FBI, initial investigation suggests this was a premeditated attack and that Jabbar may have been working with others.
While law enforcement remains focused on piecing together details of the attack, tourism officials and business leaders said their initial concern was with the victims of the attack and investigation. The long-term impact on events and safety measures will now be assessed.
“The focus now is on responding to the investigation, caring for the victims, and assessing what to do in the immediate aftermath of this horrific event,” said New Orleans & Company, the city’s official tourism marketing organization. said Walt Ledger III. .
Enhanced security
“Enhanced activities” around the Superdome are already planned for the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Georgia-Notre Dame game was scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. CT on Wednesday as part of the College Football Playoff, but was postponed until the same time Thursday.
“Further in-depth discussions will take place in the coming days and weeks to discuss potential enhancements leading up to the Super Bowl,” Leger added. “We already have great plans in place, and as events like this happen, we’ll be keeping an eye out to see what further enhancements will be made.”
Michael Hecht, CEO of regional economic development agency GNO and chairman of the Super Bowl infrastructure committee, cut short his international trip Wednesday for a meeting to discuss plans for the February event. He said he would return to New Orleans early. .
The Super Bowl is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of tourists to the city. The NFL finals typically boost the host city’s economy by up to $500 million, as hotel and restaurant bookings are strong, at least on the weekend of the game. It is also seen as a huge opportunity to promote the city and region, with 6,000 media members from around the world expected to attend and thousands of corporate events taking place before and after the event.
Caesars Superdome was placed on lockdown Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, following an alleged terrorist attack in downtown New Orleans early Wednesday morning.
Gov. Jeff Landry said the state will play a big role in Super Bowl preparations, including security, and promised that by game day, “New Orleans will be one of the safest cities in the nation.” At a joint press conference with Mayor LaToya Cantrell in June, he said the event would be an unprecedented opportunity to promote New Orleans and the state as a great place for tourism and business.
Shane Guidry, a businessman close to Mr. Landry who advises the administration on security in New Orleans, said Wednesday that the attack requires a reassessment of Super Bowl security plans.
“Clearly, if this is related to a larger terrorist plot, we need to rethink our security measures for the Super Bowl,” he said. “But I think it can be done safely if local, state and federal law enforcement agencies work together.”
The French Quarter Management District is one of dozens of local organizations coordinating with the city and Super Bowl organizers on reinforcements ahead of the event. FQMD President Jane Cooper said her members, including many local business owners, have been asking for years to pedestrianize Bourbon Street and other areas of the French Quarter for safety and other reasons.
“We all recognize the fact that vehicles can cause a lot of harm to a lot of people,” Cooper said. “We’re looking forward to a serious discussion about cars in the French Quarter, especially on Bourbon Street.”
Super Bowl organizers have been making security and other arrangements for several years in preparation for a record 13th Super Bowl to be held in New Orleans. All Super Bowls are designated as “Special Event Rating Level 1” events, meaning that due to their national and international significance, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires significant federal coordination. It means that you need .
Typically, DHS, FBI, local law enforcement, and private security teams coordinate security efforts. These include advanced screening techniques at event entry points, controlled airspace, counter-terrorism forces on standby, and crowd control and evacuation measures.
long term plan
“For more than two years, we have worked with our public safety partners and the NFL to prepare for the 2025 Super Bowl,” Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Federation, said in an emailed statement. “We have been working on a comprehensive security plan.” “These discussions and planning will continue over the coming days and weeks.”
Metropolitan Crime Commission Chairman Gregory Russovich said he is confident the city is ready to safely host the Super Bowl with five weeks remaining. Crime in New Orleans and other cities is down after spiking during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I don’t think New Orleans can be blamed for terrorism. Every city is vulnerable to that threat. That’s why Homeland Security and the FBI are taking the lead,” Rusovich said. . “Now we will continue to work collaboratively with local, state and federal law enforcement to protect visitors and local residents in the lead-up to the Super Bowl.”
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