Photo credit: Andrew Greenstein
Two days after a heinous terror attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 innocent people, the famous street is returning to normal operations.
Police had closed the street off since Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove a pickup truck around a police vehicle blocking the entrance from Canal St. and plowed into a crowd.
Jabbar then opened fire on police officers, who returned fire, killing him.
After the FBI concluded based on evidence that Jabbar acted alone, New Orleans Police reopened the street Thursday afternoon, just before the postponed start to the Cotton Bowl.
Security has been significantly beefed up; instead of a patrol unit blocking the entrance at Canal St. Thursday night, it was a massive search and rescue truck from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office search and rescue truck blocks the entrance to Bourbon Street at Canal St.
Photo credit: Andrew Greenstein
Wedges were also placed across the street, practically making any vehicular access from Canal St. impossible.
Just beyond the Canal St. entrance, a makeshift memorial has been set up, with a cross, roses, flowers and candles.
On Canal St. just east of Bourbon Street, a second line jazz band was entertaining passersby in remembrance of those killed early Wednesday morning.
Behind the band were 14 crosses, one for each victim in the attack.
New Orleans Police say as always, Bourbon Street will be closed to vehicular traffic nightly from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; and in light of the events of Wednesday morning, police presence will be beefed up.
All businesses in the French Quarter have been allowed to reopen, including Arcadian Books & Prints on Orleans St. between Bourbon and Royal streets.
Owner Russell Desmond says things are getting back to normal.
“I noticed some presence of security personnel and police around the start of Bourbon at Canal St.,” says Desmond. “Otherwise, it looks line just another day like a week ago.”
The beefed-up security was on full display for Thursday’s Sugar Bowl as bomb sniffing dogs were checking vehicles that were parking at the Dome.
Prior to reopening, police had blocked off the entire length of Bourbon Street, along with several nearby streets, including Canal St.
Photo credit: Andrew Greenstein
Desmond says it’s all in effort to put people more at ease.
“I don’t know if that level of attention will be maintained to the fever pitch it’s been these past two days. I’d kind of doubt it,” Desmond says. “But I do think that things will be more conscientious on this score than they have before, as should all big cities that host crowd events.”
Desmond says moving forward is necessary for the city, and he says we need to remember those lost and put security measures in place to prevent attacks like this in the future.
“This is a city where people come to have fun and enjoy themselves and what else can you do? Say some prayers, feel for those who’ve suffered (and) hope this sort of thing doesn’t happen again,” says Desmond.
Thursday night, those taking in Bourbon Street appeared to be in good spirits and not fearful of a repeat attack, likely due to the beefed-up police presence.
Visitors say they will not let the attack prevent them from returning to the city.
“We always have come to New Orleans and enjoyed ourselves,” said one visitor from Georgia.
“Absolutely,” said a visitor from Indiana when asked if she would return to the city. “If anything, the city did such an awesome job in making us feel safe. We will 100% come back.”
Sean Richardson contributed to this report.
Comments