Additional Coverage:
- New Orleans security barriers were being replaced prior to deadly attack, officials say (newsbreak.com)
New Orleans Bollards Malfunctioned Before Fatal Crash
Security barriers on Bourbon Street had been malfunctioning and were being replaced when a truck rammed into a crowd, killing 15 people.
The old bollards, installed in 2017, had become unreliable due to Mardi Gras beads clogging them. The city was funding their replacement through Super Bowl infrastructure plans.
Despite the malfunctioning bollards, other security measures were in place, including police officers and patrol vehicles. However, the suspect in the crash managed to drive around these measures and onto the sidewalk.
Officials acknowledged the security concerns and promised to address them before upcoming events, including the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. They will implement a permanent solution and increase security with marked and unmarked vehicles, officers on foot, and horseback.
The new bollards, made of stainless steel, will be removable and lockable, allowing for pedestrian-only times and regular traffic flow.