New Orleans offered plan to protect Mardi Gras and landmarks with barriers
New Orleans offered plan to protect Mardi Gras and landmarks with barriers
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Mayor’s office and police won’t comment on whether city will adopt plans to use 700lb steel barriers. The creators of steel, mobile 700lb barriers designed to prevent intentional vehicle rammings that New Orleans’ local government bought in late 2017 but left in storage on the night of the deadly Bourbon Street truck attack have provided the city with plans to safeguard Carnival parades as well as prominent landmarks.
But it remains to be seen whether New Orleans’ ultimately adopt those plans, said the Meridian Rapid Defense Group chief executive officer, Peter Whitford, whose group manufactures the so-called Archer barriers that have generated much civic discussion in the wake of an Islamic State terror group-inspired attack that killed 14 people and injured nearly 60 more.
“We are experts in mobile barriers; we are experts in [high-profile events that could be targeted by terrorists]; and we are providing that expertise to the city at no cost,” Whitford told the Guardian. “It will be the city’s choice.”. Spokespeople for New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Whitford’s representations, though it had previously indicated Meridian was the only security equipment company with which the city had held talks.
The city’s police department said it was “not able to comment … on safety and security assets or plans” due to investigations into the attack as well as pending litigation accusing the local government of failing to adequately protect New Year’s Day revelers on Bourbon Street – some who were planning to attend a college football playoff quarterfinal at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome.
