The New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans has sparked criticism after it was revealed that protective barriers were removed from Bourbon Street weeks before the incident. The barriers were taken down for renovations ahead of the Super Bowl, leaving the area vulnerable.
Nobody. https://t.co/viDiSnhZko
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) January 2, 2025
New Orleans’ Finest
“we put up a barrier but would you believe the terrorist went around it ?” Same group “it’s not a terrorist attack although we found IEDs and isis flags” Same group “Go out and enjoy your day”. 3 hours later then find 3 unexploded devices and 1 exploded pic.twitter.com/3fNPsUFztM
— MontanaMan (@RyplCO) January 2, 2025
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Houston native, carried out the attack using a pickup truck, killing 14 people at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Streets. Jabbar, who had converted to Islam, was shot and killed by police following the attack.
The New Orleans Police Superintendent said she didn’t know about the city’s sidewalk barrier defense against terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/BXWtDhYwxK
— SchultzX99 (@SchultzX99) January 3, 2025
"New Orleans had access to effective anti-vehicle barriers ahead of the Bourbon Street attack on New Year’s Eve revelers that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more, but the city did not deploy those barriers until a day after the carnage.”
https://t.co/P7U4nx0zyZ— David Shellenberger (@DEShellenberger) January 3, 2025
The bollard system, installed in 2017, was designed to block vehicular threats. However, persistent malfunctions led the city to begin replacing the barriers in November. Temporary measures, including police vehicles, were not enough to prevent the attack.
A Chicago alderman is calling for new barrier requirements for all street fairs and festivals in the city, in the wake of the deadly New Year's Day truck attack in New Orleans and the attack at a German Christmas market earlier this month. https://t.co/FQqstLPKeg
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) January 2, 2025
Our church, in a small safe Republican town, installed cement barriers 10 years ago to prevent anyone from driving into parishioners going into the church. New Orleans can't keep people safe? @Democrat Must be voted out of office
— Nikias_Devrim (@NikiasDevrim) January 3, 2025
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick stated that the city’s plan was defeated by the terrorist. Witnesses expressed concern over the absence of the barriers, particularly during a major holiday known for drawing large crowds.
🚨BREAKING NEWS: New Orleans Terror Attack Tragedy Inspires ABC, Guardian to Demand Sidewalk Barrier Equality
In a stunning display of investigative bravery, the ABC and The Guardian have bravely pivoted from covering the gruesome New Orleans truck attack to a pressing question:… pic.twitter.com/ZM3qS5o8Ql
— mdtlion (@mdtlion) January 2, 2025
Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) suggested additional blocking vehicles could have mitigated the attack. “We know terrorists study weaknesses. It’s our responsibility to eliminate them,” Carter told ABC News.
The attack has intensified scrutiny of the city’s decision to remove the barriers during the holiday season and its reliance on interim measures.
