In a 2019 report by a private security consulting firm, it was highlighted that the risk of terrorism in New Orleans' French Quarter, particularly involving mass shootings and vehicular attacks, was deemed as 'highly possible while moderately probable.' The report, conducted by Interfor International, strongly recommended immediate fixing and improvement of the bollard mobilization system. It specifically mentioned that the New Orleans Police Department was best positioned to oversee this measure.
The report pointed out that the current bollard system on Bourbon Street did not seem to be effective. City officials acknowledged that the bollard system was in the process of being replaced at the time of the recent attack.
According to a source familiar with the assessment conducted in 2019, New Orleans possessed temporary barriers that could have effectively blocked access to Bourbon Street but chose not to utilize them on the day of the attack.
Following an incident where a man, reportedly inspired by ISIS, used a pickup truck to target pedestrians celebrating the new year, questions arose regarding the effectiveness of barricades and bollards along Bourbon Street. City officials admitted that the existing bollards were outdated and were in the process of being replaced before the upcoming Super Bowl. However, temporary measures to prevent such attacks were not put in place.
A 2020 physical security assessment by the French Quarter Management District also emphasized the urgent need for fixing and improving the bollard mobilization system. Interfor International CEO, Don Aviv, confirmed that the firm had raised concerns about safety measures in the French Quarter back in 2019.
