after a week a deadly terrorist attack On New Orleans' iconic Bourbon Street, fourteen par Neatly line the entrance to the street famous throughout the world as a symbol of good times. As the community mourns, the grief of many locals has turned to anger at the failed barriers, which some argue could have saved lives.
Some victims and family members of victims The assault lawsuit was filed against the city Thursday, one week and one day after the attack, claiming city leaders dropped the ball.
“Reasonable barriers, temporary or otherwise, were not erected,” the lawsuit claims. “After all, the city and its contractors had clear warnings about the vehicular strike that was occurring on Bourbon Street.”
Others are also planning to file a lawsuit.
Antonio said, “Residents and visitors rely on New Orleans officials to ensure their safety, and it is deeply troubling to have preliminary information that municipal leaders have been prepared for predictable and preventable incidents on Bourbon Street. was clearly aware of the vulnerability,” Antonio said. M. Romanucci, a lawyer representing some of the victims, said in a news release Wednesday. “The violation of the public trust is disturbing, and we are fully committed to seeking accountability in this matter.”
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According to a 2019 report into New Orleans' security measures, investigators found The city may be unsafeWriting, “The threat of terrorism – particularly mass shootings and vehicle attacks – remains moderately probable but highly probable.”
With Super Bowl Sunday just a month away, the New Orleans City Council's Public Works and Criminal Justice committees met Wednesday to discuss barriers that were broken or not deployed at the time of the attack, and how to ensure adequate security. What are the plans moving forward? Layers of security will be implemented in pedestrian areas of the French Quarter.
CBS News has confirmed that, at the time of the attack, a metal wedge barrier designed to stop vehicles on the street was damaged and down, as well as metal bollards at the intersections that the attacker took along Bourbon Street.
Police said the attacker drove around parked police cars to block traffic on the road. However, CBS News confirmed that the yellow archers, designed to block vehicle traffic on sidewalks, were not deployed. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the day after the attack that she was unaware they were in the city.
New Orleans City Councilman Oliver Thomas, who also chairs the Criminal Justice Committee, asked Kirkpatrick at Wednesday's meeting about the current state of the barriers and who maintains them.
Kirkpatrick said she did not want to talk about it at the meeting, but would answer more questions and provide full transparency at the appropriate time, adding, “That time is not now.”
The stunned crowd gasped as they reacted during Wednesday's meeting as city leaders remained unsure who — or what department — was supposed to be in charge of maintaining the barriers.
“Not keeping an inventory of the situation, especially given that this is nothing new, is not only worrisome, but I think we've spent a lot of time over the last week or so compiling an inventory of what we do.” And how is it functioning,” Thomas said. “Is it a public function, is it homeland security, where is it located? …are they 21st century? …There's so much more to learn.”
Kirkpatrick stood by her department and its leadership, saying in her remarks to the council Wednesday, “I will not resign.”
Thomas declined to comment about any pending litigation.
At a press conference on Thursday, the city mayor and superintendent of police declined to comment about any of the lawsuits.
Security expert Bill Bratton comes on board
Kirkpatrick said that after careful consideration over the weekend, he decided to bring in a security consultant and domestic terrorism investigation expert – bill bratton,
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bratton served first as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department and Police Commissioner of Boston and, most recently, New York City.
Bratton's consultancy is currently pegged to a three-month stint in New Orleans, Kirkpatrick said, with the aim of helping guide decisions about how best to strengthen the city's security.
On Thursday, a day after a heated City Council committee meeting, Bratton arrived in the Big Easy and spoke publicly at a news conference at New Orleans police headquarters.
Bratton began his remarks Thursday by praising Kirkpatrick and the extensive security planning already completed for Super Bowl Sunday in February and the dozens of Mardi Gras parades scheduled between now and Fat Tuesday in March.
She also praised the city's Mayor LaToya Cantrell for lobbying to receive a higher security designation from the Department of Homeland Security for the Mardi Gras and Super Bowl events, which the mayor said was “huge for our city” and This will help in security resources. ,
He said he and his team have already had a two-hour briefing session with the police and the city mayor, in which the bottlenecks were discussed.
Bratton said he and his team will focus on the “three 'P's” – partnership, problem-solving and prevention – adding that his team will review the current list and collaborate with multiple partners, including the NFL, to find the best barrier. Options can be evaluated. New Orleans secure in the future.
Meanwhile, the city council indicated on Wednesday that it would soon launch an investigation into the barriers and ensure how they are used appropriately in the future. Councilman Jean Paul “JP” Morrell said, “No expenses will be forgiven.”
CBS News has learned that the state attorney general is investigating the attack and the city's nuisance issues.
Bratton said his team will remain in contact with the investigating agencies to ensure that their final report will consider all potential past issues to help outline a strong path forward for New Orleans.
Bratton said the city's Police & Justice Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is paying for their services. Bratton said the pricetag for his contract is still being finalized, but he would be willing to disclose that amount if terms are met.
He stressed that there would be “as much transparency as possible” in his work at the Big Easy, adding, “We're not doing any secret reporting.”
“The idea is to inform and shape the paradigm as we move forward,” Bratton said.
Time of the essence to strengthen security of the Big Easy
As of Thursday, there is exactly a month to go until Super Bowl Sunday. Before the big game, dozens of Mardi Gras parades are expected to take place in the Big Easy, which New Orleans police say will face careful security planning and additional security checks.
When asked how he and his team would get results in time for these crowded events, Bratton responded, “The team that has been selected for this has extensive experience, especially people from New York. , who I will bring in… two of the top counterterrorism experts in the country… one… is the smartest person in the country on the issue of bollards and barriers, so he has a lot of experience, (and) he's a quick learner , are quick to assimilate.”
Mayor Cantrell said the city will welcome additional representatives from DHS on Friday, who he says will help coordinate security plans for the ongoing Mardi Gras parade and upcoming Super Bowl festivities.
At Wednesday's City Council meeting, several local residents spoke passionately about their concerns about the lack of security protections in the French Quarter.
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“I'm disappointed,” New Orleans resident Lindsey Garcia said at Wednesday's meeting. “It's too late for the investigation to begin tomorrow.”
Another public commenter, Nefteria Addison, attended Wednesday's council meeting solely to ask for resources for her 14-year-old nephew, who no longer has a mother. His sister, Latasha Polk, was killed in the New Year's Day attack.
“Although the money is great, it won't bring my sister back, and we need a long-term plan moving forward… There are some milestones coming up in her life that she can't wait to talk about.” There needs to be support for what's going to happen,” Addison said.
She says she doesn't blame anyone for the attack but the suspect, who was killed during the attack, but she thinks city leaders should see this as an opportunity to grow and make the city stronger and safer. Should be used in.
“I think they're not working together as a unit,” Addison said Wednesday. “Part of assuming a leadership role, you have to agree to be in the hot seat.”