New Orleans is considering a plan to use mobile barriers for safety during Mardi Gras and to protect key landmarks from vehicle attacks
New Orleans: The city is looking into a plan to use mobile barriers to keep Mardi Gras celebrations and important landmarks safe. These barriers, made by Meridian Rapid Defense Group, are designed to stop vehicles from causing harm during big events.
After a tragic attack on Bourbon Street, the company reached out to help. They offered their expertise for free, but it’s up to the city to decide if they want to use it. The CEO, Peter Whitford, mentioned that they specialize in mobile barriers and are ready to assist.
However, the city hasn’t made any decisions yet. Officials from Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office didn’t respond to requests for comments. The police department also stayed quiet about their safety plans due to ongoing investigations related to the attack.
Whitford’s comments came after the FBI warned about possible copycat attacks. The city is also preparing for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, which adds urgency to the situation. They’ve even hired a former police chief to review security measures.
Whitford visited New Orleans after the attack and noticed that the police had some equipment to move the barriers. But many in the local safety community weren’t familiar with how to use them. Some officials thought the barriers were too heavy and complicated to set up quickly.
Interestingly, the city had these barriers since 2017 but didn’t use them effectively. They were part of a safety package after several vehicle attacks in other cities. The new police superintendent didn’t even know they existed until after the Bourbon Street incident.
Despite the challenges, Whitford said they’ve provided new barriers and training to local responders. The barriers can be set up quickly and are designed to absorb impact if hit by a vehicle. They’re also certified for safety by the homeland security department.
Meridian has used these barriers successfully in other cities, like Pasadena during their Rose Parade. Whitford is committed to staying in New Orleans through Mardi Gras to help the city implement their security plan.
“We weren’t here on New Year’s Day, but we’re here now,” he said, emphasizing their readiness to assist.
