Unanswered Questions and a New Security Consultant
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has hired former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton as a consultant to help the city review its security measures in the wake of a terror attack that killed 14 people in the French Quarter. The decision came as officials and residents sought answers over security lapses after the attack.
Lack of Clarity on Security Systems
Kirkpatrick told the city council that she lacked clarity about the inventory and condition of security systems around Bourbon Street. She also revealed that the city did not deploy wedge barriers because they had malfunction problems and that the attacker had defeated the city’s security plans.
New Security Consultant
Bratton, a renowned expert in risk assessment and response, will work with the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, a nonprofit organization. His contract is being paid for by the foundation, and he will not be working directly with the city council. However, some council members expressed concern over whether Bratton would work closely with the city council and whether they had been involved in his hiring.
Finger-Pointing Among Officials
The meeting saw finger-pointing among officials, with some criticizing the city’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for not being present at the meeting. The department’s director, Collin Arnold, said his department helped install the retractable bollards purchased by the city in 2017 but was not involved in selecting or installing the new bollards.
An Outraged Public
Members of the public expressed their frustrations with city officials for failing to stop the attack from happening. Some criticized the city’s longstanding failure to bolster its ailing infrastructure, while others questioned who was responsible for security measures on Bourbon Street.
Conclusion
The city of New Orleans is still reeling from the terror attack that killed 14 people, and questions remain about the security measures in place on Bourbon Street. The hiring of former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton as a consultant is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether the city can learn from its mistakes and improve its security infrastructure.
FAQs
Q: Who is Bill Bratton?
A: Bill Bratton is a former New York Police Commissioner who specializes in risk assessment and response.
Q: What is the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation?
A: The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is paying for Bratton’s services.
Q: Why was the city’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness not present at the meeting?
A: The department’s director, Collin Arnold, said his staff had not been invited to participate, but would have done so if asked.
Q: What is the status of the investigation into the attack?
A: The city council is launching its own investigation into the security measures in place on Bourbon Street, and a state attorney general has also ordered a review of security measures.
