The New Orleans Police Department is working with the Coast Guard, federal, state and local police agencies and homeland security officials to boost security this weekend for the Mardi Gras celebration, said Marlon Defillo, captain commander of public affairs.
Defillo said the difference this year is the police department has put together not just a reactive plan but a proactive plan in the event of a biochemical attack.
Officials have performed threat assessments, and intelligence indicates there is no real threat of a terrorist attack during Mardi Gras, Defillo said.
He estimated between 500 and 700 New Orleans police officers will be patrolling different parade areas starting Friday.
Col. Terry Landry, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, is sending troopers to New Orleans for Mardi Gras on Friday, Superintendent Edwin P. Compass III said Monday.
The state troopers will assist New Orleans officers in both motorized and foot patrol assignments, Compass said.
The police are using the Coast Guard’s helicopters to check the ground to make sure everything is running smoothly, Defillo said.
“It gives the public a sense of security,” he said.
Defillo said he encourages people who are afraid to attend Mardi Gras because of the heightened terror alert to come out because he feels security is adequate.
“I think they’d miss a great show,” he said.
New Orleans has a lead on many other cities concerning security preparedness in America because of the intensive Super Bowl planning it coordinated two years ago, Defillo said.
“We’re more prepared,” he said.
In contrast, Cpl. Don Kelly, spokesperson for the Baton Rouge Police Department, said BRPD will have sufficient manpower at the Baton Rouge parades but will not be taking any special measures for security this year.
“We always have a large presence at the Spanishtown parade,” Kelly said. “But Baton Rouge doesn’t have the large crowd that New Orleans does.”
Emily McNeil, an art senior, said she hopes no terrorist attacks will occur, but said, in theory, Mardi Gras would be a good target.
“I don’t think they have the strength to do it,” McNeil said. “But for someone with the resources, it would be a good idea.”
Biological sciences senior Anthony Williams said he thinks Mardi Gras is not a target for a possible terrorist attack.
Other students disagree.
“I think it’s a good target because there will be a lot of innocent people there, which is what terrorists look for,” said business sophomore Brandon Noel.
Juan Checa, an agricultural business senior, said he and his roommates are going to Austin, Texas, because they are afraid of a terrorist attack in New Orleans.
“There’s too many people — it’s an easy target,” Checa said.
In the event of a terrorist attack or riot, Defillo said the police department has a comprehensive plan.
The details of the plan were not released for security reasons.